Chapter 3

District 33 is under the country called Hesteria. This place is divided into 3 areas: The town, the junkyard, and the slum. Wild forest surrounded this district.

The town has its own wall that separates the two areas. Where most people have an average life, a mediocre, not too rich or too poor. Yet, still incomparable to the other areas of the said place. And they are under Government's care.

The junkyard, a place where the waste of most districts are been dumped. This place is connected to the slums, where people in the slum get their materials and things for a living. They collect scraps in exchange for money or food.

The slums, a place of poorest people. Even every day of their life is like hell and a battle against the grim reaper. It is an unlawful place where dead bodies are a natural occurrence every day. Corpses died in hunger, disease, or even murder. No one even cares, even the government left these people.

The world is such cruel. Everyone was never been living in equality. This word is a false and a sugar coat coming from the tongue of human living in prosperity. There is always superior and inferior, strong and weak, rich and poor, good and bad people. Even omnipotent being made day and night, a light and a dark. Even her Mother's death, Mizu can't have her justice. No one will care, she can only blame her mother's unfortunate fate.

Near the crystal frozen river, there's a humongous and tall tree called 'sakura', the only tree that living in this place. Its big and long branches curved and twisted in an enchanting way were covered in a pile of snow. A group of crows flaps their wings and cowed on top of the large branches while watching the two kids busily covered the hole in soil using the shovels.

Beneath this Sakura tree, Mizu buried her Mother. Face, feet, and hands are in pink and numb because of the freezing temperature. White and warm smoke was coming out from the pinkish nose and purple lips every time she breathes and speaks. Hands clasping together, and eyes in tight closed, Mizu and Kuro prayed for the safe journey of the soul of her mother in the afterlife.

Mizu left the burial with a frost flower.

Walking with Kuro, Mizu decided to go back home. She just remembered Shiro is still sleeping in their house. She still has someone waiting for her.

Just then, at the end of an alleyway, a group of kids is running towards them with such an anxious countenance in their faces. Then calling her name repeatedly.

"What is it?" she asked.

These kids are chasing their breath. They are in thick clothing that you can compare to a rug. Maybe rugs is even better and cleaner compared to what they are wearing.

"T-there's... There's a-a... " they said stuttering.

"Calm down, say it one by one."

With an extreme exhaled the kids simultaneously explain in one breath.

"The-there's a boy in your house that was drag forcefully by people in a black suit. I-it's scary, and the boy was shouting your name. Asking for help!!!"

This news strikes her like lightning and without wasting any second, Mizu runs at a fast speed towards her house, then leaps on the roof of houses for a shortcut. Kuro was following her behind while her peers used the usual route. Mizu lost her Mom already, she will hate herself if she lost Shiro too.

They just met yesterday but she was already attached to the kid. With just Shiro's presence, Mizu felt comfy and soothing. That kid was like an angel to her.

She jerked her steps when she saw Shiro in distance being carried like a sack of rice and struggling on top of the shoulder of a muscular built man. This man and his colleagues beside him were following a young man in front. Seems he was the boss of the group. In their direction, an extravagant car that Mizu never had seen before are waiting for them in front. They about to leave the slum.

With this Mizu hurriedly searched her surroundings. Looking for a tool that she can use to defend herself and attack. Then calculated the timing on how she can save Shiro. It was then he saw an iron bat on top of someone's roof, almost covered by the snow. It was 3 feet long utmost. Picking the said thing, Mizu gripped it tightly and with a high leap, she landed in front of the man who was holding Shiro at the same moment hit his hand strongly with the iron bat. Making him lose its grip and drop Shiro.

"Mizu!" Shiro shouted seeing her. "Ah, it was the first time this kid called me by my name."

"Don't worry I'm going to save you!"

In the next second, she grabbed Shiro's hand and... Run!

However, they only took 5 steps when Mizu was blocked by the other henchman.

"They are better than expected."

Looking around, Mizu swiftly pushed Shiro on the side and swayed her arms to hit the man in front of him. Then with a loud shout, she called Kuro's name. At that moment, Kuro goes out of his hidings and grabs Shiro's wrist to run. Despite leaving Mizu alone are hard for him. He still follows her command.

Mizu snickered when her opponent grabs the bat in such ease. In this situation she was not afraid nor scared, instead, she felt excitement. Since then, she already has countless experiences fighting grown-ups. In a reason that her younger peers are always in trouble against this said person. Protecting them is the top priority of her and Kuro.

With a twist of her body, she leaps upward and kicked the face of the man holding the bat and in mid-air, she does another turned to double the force holding the bat and strike his head. *thud the man falls down at the same time she landed on the ground.

She then heard the Youngman chuckled. He has these handsome features and a well-built body. He wears a neat and well iron suit and a shining shoes Mizu never seen in her life. Not even in the people in the town. He was much superior compared to those people.

"This child pique my taste. Brave with fighting skills. And even fast in decision making. Hmm, let see... I'm going to take this kid," he said licking his lips while eyeing with Mizu.

This makes Mizu shudder. Body suddenly on defensive mode while facing the young man. "This man is the real deal," his menacing eyes and aura show nothing than a thirst for blood.

Mizu looked again in her surroundings, finding an escape route. In just a glance Mizu's instincts are telling her that she's in danger.

Just then when she's about to step back and try to run, the Youngman himself moved. In just a split of seconds, he was already in front of Mizu. Wind gush and dust of snow flew in the ground as he moved yet without any sound.

In reflex, Mizu strikes the man using the iron bat but it was dodged smoothly by him. "Good reflexes."

"I want to know more about your skills but I don't have time to play kiddo." After he said it, Mizu just felt a sting sensation on her neck. The man injected him something terrible.

All her limb suddenly became soft and weak as if she was drained in energy. Her vision became hazy and blurry. Her surroundings are turning in upside down direction. And bit by bit turning to black. "I'm doom."

Mizu shakes her head to regain her consciousness. But it's no used. Defenseless, the man able to lift her up and carry her.

But before the man could take another step.

They heard a shout, "Riku!!!"

The Youngman chuckled hearing this voice. "I see, you chose to go back. I'm just thinking I let you go in exchange for this girl."

Mizu has a hard time seeing who he was talking about.

"That's enough, Riku."

Hearing this voice for a second time, her eyes widened. She has a blurry vision but she knows exactly who he is.

Just then he heard Kuro's voice shouting her name. "Mizu!" and he seemed out of breathing.

"Shi-Shiro, why-why did you come back?"

But Mizu didn't receive any response from the said kid.

"I'm going to go back. Put Mizu down."

'Go back? In where?'

Mizu knew it was Shiro but his atmosphere seems to change and the way he talks is so different. It was as if it was not him.

"You can go back but I'm still going to take this kid."

Just then the surrounding air became heavy like they were pulled down by the earth gravity and there's this creepy feeling crawling on them. A feeling that any second is their last moment. Even Mizu gets this intimidating killing sensation.

"I. Said. Put. Her. Down!" his voice is deep and holds on repressing anger.

The young man chuckled, "Ah, your acting reached its end. Don't be so angry. OK, I will if you say so. Your worth is more than her."

Mizu felt she was already laid on the ground. She can still hear anything and felt yet she can't already control her body nor can see anything.

Shiro walked to retrieve Mizu. Then carried her in a princess-way and gently put her down like he's holding a precious being to Kuro's arms. Holding her hand.

"Thank you for letting me became just a normal kid in just a few hours. I will treasure the name you gave to me. I like it. Shiro, a pure white name," Shiro whispered.

A genuine smile embarked on his face but it lasts for a second. Then, Mizu just felt a warm and moist sensation touched her forehead.

"Thank you, Mizu. We will never see each other again."

It was the last thing she heard and felt before she completely lost her consciousness. A drop of tears escapes on her eyes.

"Please, don't leave."

Her mouth opened to say those words but none came out.