It was night, two days after Gabriele’s addition to the organization, and Mathias was walking through downtown with Nikki. They were on their way to visit Rita’s mother, Doris.
Although she still lived in the same house, word was that she was like an empty shell.
It was only to be expected.
Her husband Henning, Rita’s father, had been executed only a few months ago on charges of selling potions to help people kill themselves. Specifically, his torso had been devoured by “the plaza Titan” as per his daughter’s directive.
Faced with such circumstances, no wife or mother could remain her former self.
Apparently, Rita and Doris no longer saw each other.
That, Mathias supposed, was true for him too.
His association with Rita’s family dated back to his childhood. He and Doris had been close, and he knew Rita was perfectly aware that he might pay her mother a visit. Quite possibly she’d assigned someone to keep an eye on the place. If he approached carelessly, there was a high risk of being arrested and dragged out before Rita.
But he needed to talk to Doris in person, even just for five minutes, even just one, and even if it meant putting himself in danger. He needed to tell her that he intended to take a stand against her daughter.
The amount of people in the streets seemed mostly unchanged from before the fall of Wall Maria. The mood, however, was far darker. The streets and alleys overflowed with an almost tangible sense of fear and suspicion.
When they were about three blocks away from Doris’ house, someone shouted, “Fire!”
Mathias and Nikki glanced at each other in silence. There indeed was an ashy smell in the air. Not long after they noticed this, the sky began to turn orange behind the rooftops of the buildings to their right. Something resembling black smoke climbed into the sky. Although fires were less frequent these days, they still broke out occasionally.
As it was relatively early, many residents were still awake. Windows overhead flung open in quick succession. People looked out with concerned faces from their front doors.
“Suits us nicely,” Nikki said without stopping. “If there are any guards, this should distract them.”
“Agreed.”
Together, they began to approach Doris’ home. The first floor had once housed Henning’s apothecary, but the business had been shuttered since his execution.
Nikki crouched in towards the front door. Out of her jacket she produced a collection of metallic rods, each a different thickness and length. She’d use her vaunted lock-picking skills to get them in quickly. Calling Doris from outside and waiting for her to react would waste too much time.
“There we go!”
In a mere twenty seconds, Nikki was back on her feet and returning her tools to her pocket.
“Impressive, as always.”
Nikki registered the praise with a satisfied chuckle.
The two of them hurried inside.
“Doris?” Mathias tried calling her name, quietly, but there was no response.
They continued in, carefully in case soldiers were waiting for them. With no source of illumination, it was almost totally dark. It didn’t matter as Mathias knew his way around even with his eyes closed.
“Doris, we’re coming in.”
They crossed the apothecary and walked behind the counter. Opening the door, Mathias placed a foot on the stairs. He ascended them without seeing them. The faint outline of things came into view as he approached the second floor. Nikki followed soundlessly after him.
“It’s Mathias. I’m sorry to barge in like this.”
After trying again he proceeded to the far end of the second-floor corridor. Not that the building was all that large.
He saw her the moment he entered the street-side kitchen and dining room.
Doris was sitting in a chair she’d placed next to the window and staring blankly through it. She had been a strong and dynamic woman─now she’d lost a lot of weight, giving her a shrunken appearance. The flames of the fire outside colored one side of her face orange and cast deep shadows, accentuating her sunken cheeks.
“Doris,” Mathias said again, his voice still subdued.
He wondered at first if she hadn’t heard. Then, slowly, at her own pace, she began to turn around. Her eyes paused when she saw him, and drew into focus.
Anxiety began to swell in Mathias’ chest. Had she lost her senses completely? He was unsure whether he ought to approach her.
But before he could decide what to do, Doris whispered, “You…came…”
Her voice had been barely louder than a mosquito, but its tone was enough to assure Mathias she was of sound mind. With his fears dispelled, he felt a flush of warmth come over him. Doris might have changed in appearance, but in essence she hadn’t one bit.
“Yes. I came.”
It was the first time they’d spoken in half a year. Only now did Mathias realize just how much he’d needed to see her. He found himself hurrying across the room. Doris, too, quickly got up from her chair. They fell into an embrace.
It felt perfectly natural.
Doris’ head only came up to Mathias’ shoulders. He’d always imagined her as a taller woman. The smell on her neck, on her hair and clothes, was one he knew well. It was similar to Rita’s, but different too. Come to think of it, the house itself carried a familiar smell, reminiscent of Rita’s. How had he failed to notice it until now?
Mathias was filled with sorrow. He took a series of deep breaths. He had to in order not to burst into tears with Nikki standing there behind him.
Right, Nikki.
Softly, carefully, as though handling a fragile object, Mathias held Doris out to arm’s length. He glanced over his shoulder, indicating with a look the outlaw-turned-comrade.
“This is Nikki. She’s a friend.”
“Okay.” Doris’ voice was still hushed, but it was firm. She looked past Mathias and made a slight bow. “You’re welcome here.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nikki reciprocated with some manners.
Doris returned her gaze to Mathias. “And, how are things?”
Mathias guessed she wasn’t inquiring after his health. “How much do you know?” he asked back.
“It’s hard to say. But I think I know most of what’s happening. I often just sit and do nothing, these days. I have friends who visit and take care of me, though, and I hear lots of gossip that way. I do get the order of things mixed up every now and then.” She glanced at the middle of the room. “Look at me, keeping you both on your feet. Take a seat. I’ll go put on some tea.”
“Thanks, but we can’t stay long.”
“Don’t be silly.” Doris crossed the room, dragging her right leg as she headed into the kitchen.