Maika was out of breath as she sprinted through the maze of the streets that composed Antiva city. Of course a simple fleeing had gone fucking south and they had gotten caught in the process. In order to secure Zevran, she had played the card of that she was the only one fleeing, killing fellow crows on the process and avoiding the rest in a quick run.
But she couldn’t run forever and indeed, when she was in the outskirts, the city now behind her back she was reached.
“Please I beg you let me go, I’ll do whatever you want, I will pay you but I am with a child, I need to leave” she begged as she got on her knees pleading to the hooded figure. If her life was the only thing on the line she would have refused to beg but now her child mattered more than her pride.
Bajie emerged from the shadows, arms crossed over his broad chest, his face hidden beneath the hood but his expression unmistakably skeptical. He let out a low, exaggerated sigh, shaking his head as he approached Maika.
Oh, for crying out loud, stop groveling, will you? It’s embarrassing—for both of us. His voice carried that familiar mix of exasperation and sarcasm, but there was a hint of something softer beneath it, something almost like pity.
He knelt down, squinting at her through the dim light of the outskirts. Look at you. All scraped up, panting like a dog, and begging for mercy from a guy like me. Honestly, I’ve seen fresher corpses than you right now.
He glanced around, scanning the shadows for signs of pursuit. When he was sure the coast was clear, he let out another dramatic sigh and extended a hand to help her up.
Alright, come on then. On your feet. I’m not going to kill you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Don’t get me wrong—I thought about it for a second there. But a pregnant woman begging for her life? That’s a bit too much even for me.
Bajie studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of her desperation. So, what’s the story, huh? You running from someone? Baby daddy get cold feet? Or is this just one of those ‘I pissed off the wrong people and now they want my head’ situations? Because, judging by the way you look, I’m guessing the last one.
He pulled back his hood, revealing a face lined with experience and a surprising amount of empathy. Lucky for you, I’ve got a soft spot for hopeless cases. So, spill it, sweetheart—who’s after you, and why should I risk my neck to help you?
“I will fucking crawl on the ground if that means that my unborn child gets a chance” she said growling with the fire that was more realistic in Maika. “Then what’s the fun on taking out a prey that it’s almost dead? Shouldn’t you save your expertise for finer cases?” she said trying to add a hint of humour, a nervous reflex response from her crow days.
She got on her feet “The mercy is appreciated, I’ll try to repay the favor” she glared at his studying expression for a moment “Baby daddy and I decided that we didn’t want our baby taken from us after it’s born” she let him do the rest of the maths, few organizations would take a newborn child from their parents in Antiva City.
She sighed “I am a crow” she concluded, confirmation of what she had hinted “and so is the father”
Bajie gave her a long, incredulous look, one eyebrow arching high. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he considered her words. Finally, he let out a low whistle.
Well, now that is a whole heap of trouble you’ve landed yourself in, isn’t it? Crow parents trying to go off the grid with their little fledgling. I can see why they’re not exactly rolling out the welcome mat for you.
He started pacing in a lazy circle around her, his boots crunching against the gravel. You do realize what you’re up against, don’t you? The Crows aren’t exactly known for their forgiving nature. They’re like a bad case of fleas—once they’ve sunk their teeth in, you can’t just shake ‘em off and hope for the best.
He stopped in front of her again, his gaze sharp and calculating. But hey, I’ll give you this—you’ve got guts. Takes a special kind of crazy to go toe-to-toe with your own lot and come out alive. Even if you do look like you got dragged through the Void and back.
Bajie rubbed his chin thoughtfully, clearly weighing his options. Alright, here’s the deal, sweetheart. I’ll help you get out of this mess. But— he held up a finger before she could thank him or protest, —it’s not out of the goodness of my heart, alright? Let’s not get sentimental. You’ve got something they want bad enough to chase you to the outskirts of Antiva. That means you’re valuable, and I like valuable people owing me favors.
He paused, giving her a sly grin. Besides, I’d love to see the look on their faces when they realize they’ve been outmaneuvered by yours truly. Priceless.
He gestured for her to follow him, his tone turning more businesslike. Alright, let’s get moving. The longer we stand around yapping, the more likely one of your ex-friends comes poking around. And trust me, sweetheart, I’d rather not have to explain why I’m babysitting a knocked-up Crow to anyone with a blade.
As he turned to lead the way, he glanced back over his shoulder. Oh, and for the record? If you think you’re repaying this favor anytime soon, think again. You’ve got a kid to worry about now. Lucky for you, I’m patient. Just don’t make me regret it, alright?
“Well I am not going to make it easy for them either, you are smarter than them that’s why you caught me” she said, trying to not sound too bratty despite of being eighteen years old.
“I know, I will leave Antiva, hopefully when enough time passes they might not forget about me but I won’t be a priority either” perhaps they would not send too many Crows if they had more important matters at hand “My best card is to just fade away”.
“I don’t’ have a choice, I have to succeed for my baby or to die trying. Hopefully not the later” she said as she remembered how close she was to it when she faced Bajie for the first time.
“You can cash your favour anytime, whatever you ask me is worth if I get to save our lives” she said as she touched her abdomen “And I am skilled, a crow doesn’t get to my age if they are shit, trust me you won’t regret sparing me” she said with a nod.
She walked behind him, follow the older man blindly. Perhaps this was a trap, but if he wanted her death he would have already taken her life “What can be the best way to leave? Besides of the obvious avoid the main cities”.
“I promise it will be worth it; I don’t like owing debts” she concluded seriously as she looked back at the man.
Bajie stopped mid-step, turning his head slightly to glance at her with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He adjusted his stance, one hand resting on his hip, the other gesturing lazily toward her.
Well, aren’t you just a bundle of determination? Fading away, dodging the big bads, and vowing to make good on a debt before I’ve even asked for anything. Almost makes me wanna write you a glowing recommendation—except, you know, for the whole ‘Crows hunting you down’ thing.
He turned back, resuming his steady pace, boots crunching with each step. Alright, kid, listen up. If you’re serious about slipping past their radar, you’re gonna need more than just a plan to ‘fade away.’ The Crows have long memories and longer arms. You’ll need to be a ghost—new name, new face, new everything. Burn every bridge and salt the earth behind you.
Bajie shot her a quick look over his shoulder, his expression softer for a moment. Not saying it’ll be easy, especially with a baby on the way, but hey—if anyone’s crazy enough to pull it off, it’s someone who’s already outfoxed their own crew once.
He rubbed his chin, his mind clearly working through the logistics. Best way outta Antiva? Stick to the small routes—smugglers’ paths, old caravan trails, anything that keeps you off the Crow network. Forget main cities; hell, avoid villages if you can. Too many eyes. Head south, maybe. The further you get from the Crow’s roost, the harder it’ll be for them to keep their claws in you.
He glanced back again, this time with a sly grin. And while we’re on the subject, don’t go making promises you can’t keep, sweetheart. Saying you’ll make this worth my while is cute, but I’ve been burned by pretty words before. Show me you’ve got the grit to back it up, and maybe we’ll call it even one day. Until then, you’re on probation.
Bajie stopped abruptly, turning to face her fully. His expression was unusually serious, his tone low. But let me give you a piece of advice—one freebie, no strings attached. Don’t let desperation cloud your judgment. You’ve got something worth fighting for now, and that means making smart moves, not reckless ones. Play the long game, Maika. That’s how you win.
He held her gaze for a beat longer before turning again, his usual irreverent demeanor slipping back into place. Now, keep up, would ya? I’m not about to babysit you all the way to the border. But hey, if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll even make it out alive. Won’t that be a story for the little one someday?
“The stakes are too high for me to not to” she said with a frown as she heard his words. It wasn’t as if she had a choice and faced between debts and death she would rather take the first option.
“I know, I am going to the Marches and changing my name and of course staying out of this line of work” she said with a sigh. She didn’t like assassination as a job but it was all that she had known for the whole life and changes were scary. Maika liked to think that honest work would be hard in the beginning but more satisfactory. “I will try my best, this is my only shot and once the baby is old enough if they get me well…” they will have a choice to live. Her goal was for them to be at the least fifteen.
“I know that ships are discarded but I hadn’t thought about old caravan trails” she said thoughtfully as she followed the older man. “Deal” she said amused by his words about promises, he really had a good point there.
“My only string will be my family. I am not good at making new truly close friends, and the only man I planned to love was the one I am leaving behind” she stated simply; there wasn’t sadness behind her words just bitter acceptation.
“I will give you the appropriate praise when it comes to tell Arissa the story” she knew that it would be a girl, she could sense it.
Bajie let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he kept walking.
Well, well, listen to you. Already planning the bedtime stories. Gotta say, I admire the confidence. Most folks in your situation would be too busy shitting themselves to think that far ahead.
His tone was teasing, but there was no real bite behind it. If anything, there was a touch of respect buried in there.
The Marches, huh? Not a bad choice. Not a great one either, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers. You’re gonna stick out like a sore thumb at first—accents, mannerisms, the way you move. You’ll need to learn fast, blend in, keep your head down. Lucky for you, I happen to be an expert at disappearing acts.
He shot her a sidelong glance, assessing her as if trying to gauge just how much of her own fire would be a help or a hindrance.
And this whole ‘only string is my family’ bit? That’s noble, real sweet, but let’s not kid ourselves. You don’t get to be as good as you are without making enemies. You’re gonna run into trouble again—maybe not tomorrow, maybe not in a year, but someday. And when that day comes, you better hope you’ve got someone left in your corner, ‘cause lone wolves? They don’t last.
Bajie sighed, rolling his shoulders as they walked.
But hey, it’s your life. I’m just here to get you out of this mess. What happens after? That’s all on you. Just don’t get all weepy on me if it turns out to be harder than you thought, alright? I am *not* the comforting type.
He gave her a smirk before turning his attention back to the path ahead.
Now, let’s pick up the pace. The sooner we get you off the map, the sooner I can go back to living my life without a hormonal assassin dragging behind me. Sound good?
