I was shocked that my heart beat fast in fear when I felt someone hold my shoulder that I immediately face the person behind. She suddenly took her hand away, realizing that she scared me.
I released a sigh of relief when I saw that it was a woman. However, I was still dozing off for a moment trying to recover from the situation.
"You seemed to be new here," The woman said as she looked at me up and down, observing my features which made me go back to reality.
I nodded politely. "Yes, I am still not yet familiar with the place."
I then look at her and see that she has an undeniable beauty, she was also carrying with her plastic bags of groceries.
"You should be careful. There were some drunkards in this alley. At least bring something that could help you defend yourself, in case." She stated in kindness.
I suddenly remembered two men earlier that were following me and so I looked behind her but saw no one. That made me curious though, they must have gone back.
I bit my lip, I was really unaware of those things. Tobias just mentioned the direction earlier but I didn't tell him that I will be visiting the cat I rescued before. I really wanted to see the cat, I don't understand why but I am fond of it.
"Where are you going, by the way?" She asked as we continued to head out of the narrow alley.
"I... well, I have... uh... friend here named Tobias," I answered thinking of the term that suits my relationship with him.
Yeah, we are probably friends by now. I sighed.
The woman immediately shifted her gaze toward me. She scanned me for a few seconds. "Oh! You must be the girl living under Vera's house?"
I was surprised a bit that she knows me and Aunt Vera but I realized that this alley is not that far from our home and the news about me has probably spread. I nodded as a response.
"I am Tobias' sister, Hera. I have heard some stories about you," she stated with a smile on her face.
My eyes went large upon hearing those words from her. I did not expect that I would meet Tobias's family even before meeting them at their house. That must be the reason why she looks familiar... I just realized that her eyes resemble Tobias' eyes.
"It's nice to meet you... I hope those stories were good," I answered, trying to sound a little good at interacting with other people.
"Oh, you have no idea how good those stories were," She laughed a bit after saying those words, her eyes filled with amusement.
I smiled. Her laugh is contagious which made me chuckle a bit. Tobias' sister is probably in her early twenties. I could say that because of her features.
She's beautiful with her wavy hair and brown hazelnut eyes. She has a skinny feature, oh well, she's gorgeous.
We headed directly to their home after that. Hera went directly inside while I remained to wait for Tobias outside.
"Tobias! Your friend is here!" I heard his sister scream inside.
After hearing those words, I saw Tobias quickly heading outside... towards me. I could see his surprised expression because of my unannounced visit to their place.
"Surprise?" I asked when I already knew the answer to that question.
"You should have told me earlier that you would come! I should have prepared myself then," He stated, still surprised that I am here.
I pouted, "As if I am visiting you. I'm here for Alexis." Alexis is the name that we have come up with for the cat I rescued in the forest.
He laughed at that, "You should have at least pretended that you are here for me. I feel used, Maive."
I gave him a look while he was wearing mischievous eyes. I knew that he was kidding so I set it aside.
"Where is she?" I asked as I looked around to see Alexis.
Tobias made a gesture that I should follow him in which I did. He headed inside their house and I followed behind. I looked around on our way then I found his sister arranging the groceries that she was holding earlier. That's also how I found Alexis near their television while peacefully licking her paws.
I immediately went towards her and caressed her head. I smiled when she meowed. She looks a lot healthier now. She has gained some weight and there were no traces of dirt in her body like before.
I stayed there playing with Alexis. She really reminds me of Sheon. Only deities know how much I miss Sheon as much as I missed father and Zonen.
"Where are your parents, Tobias?" I asked when I realized that I have never seen them ever since I got here.
"They are at the town working," he said as he handed me a small bowl with some milk.
I nodded and gave Alexis the bowl of milk that Tobias had given me. Alexis excitedly went to lick it. I smiled at how cute she is.
"You are pretty," Those words made me stop.
When I looked where that voice originated, I found a little boy, probably seven or eight years old, looking at me. He looks exactly like Tobias; he is surely his little brother that he was mentioning before.
"Jacob..." Tobias said, sounding like he was giving his little brother a warning.
Jacob pouted, "What? I just said that she is pretty."
I chuckled at him. He makes me remember my brother. Zonen was that cute when he was his age. Dang, I really miss my family. Everything here reminds me of them.
"I'm Jacob," He introduced himself.
I smiled, "I'm Maive. Nice to see you here."
"Please come to visit us more often. Tobias will surely love that," He grinned at me.
"Jacob." Tobias warned again.
Jacob laughed and then went inside a room leaving me with his brother, Tobias.
I, then, shifted my gaze back at Alexis who had already finished her milk.
The rest of the day goes that way. I just played with Alexis the whole time. It was already afternoon when I decided to head back home. Tobias' parents were still not there at the time that I was leaving. I hope that I can meet them next time.
"I will walk you home," Tobias offered.
Afraid that I will encounter some scary men, I agreed with him.
"My sister mentioned that you were almost harassed by drunkards." He seriously stated and I was scared for a moment when I sensed anger in his voice.
I did not answer, I don't know what to say though.
"You should take care of yourself, Maive. I'll fetch you the next time you want to visit us," He said with a hint of concern in his voice.
We were currently walking in the alley but then, I felt him looking at my neck, probably at the mark left by the bite I received on that horrible night.
Almost everyone that I encountered stared at the bite mark with an unexplainable look, even his sister earlier... I knew she saw it, she was frozen for a moment after she saw it. I really wonder what they think about this bitemark.
I sighed when I felt it again, even in this narrow alley I could still feel eyes watching me.
This isn't good.