“A kid?” Kasla became alert, watching the fair skinned boy look around frantically, hands balled against his chest. “He looks lost. Where’s his parents? Hey, wai—!” 

His warning came too late as the boy crashed into a rather well dressed man as neither was looking where they were going. The boy staggered from the collision, barely reaching the man’s waist while Kasla looked on in concern.

“YOU!” The nobleman wheeled at the frightened child, turning so red with rage he nearly matched the fine jewels on his neck and hands. “How dare you bump into me! LOOK! You even wrinkled my clothes! You will pay for this!” He shook a ringed finger mere inches from the boy’s face, the sunlight glinting off them in an almost sinister way.

The boy threw up his arms, shielding his face as he cowered at the looming nobleman. He shook his head and slowly backed away, trembling.

The silence only enraged the nobleman more, a vein bulging in his forehead. “Answer me, you RAT!” His hand went higher and flattened, as if about to strike. 

“He—!” Kasla started towards them, fists curling. The boy however turned on his heel with speed rivaling a rabbit and dashed into the nearby alleyway, escaping the nobleman’s fury. The nobleman hurled insults and colorful curses before letting out a huff, brushing off his clothes with disdain.

Kasla glared, a hot coal forming in his stomach. He took a deep breath and exhaled, unclenching his fists. He had half a mind to trip the stuck-up man who looked none the worse for wear as the pompous moneybags stormed off. If that’s how city folk reacted to a simple collision I’m in for the long haul. 

Yet as his gaze went to the alleyway, unable to see the boy, the Elf’s words from before came to mind hauntingly: It’s not safe for children to be about alone, day or night!

Kasla looked around, a few people muttering about the scene but unmoving. His eyes went back to the alleyway as the smoldering coal in his stomach faded away, instead leaving a pit. “I have a bad feeling about this.” 

⁜

The white haired boy wandered down the alley, casting a worried glance over his shoulder for sign of the enraged nobleman. He shuddered and clutched his arms, shoulders hunched as he tried to shrink into himself. He looked exhausted and worried, fingers digging into his cloak’s fabric to comfort himself. As he trembled he shifted his gaze forward but abruptly stopped, suddenly alert.

It was a dead end and waiting in the gloom were three men talking in hushed voices. At the sound of the boy’s footsteps one lifted his head, a sneer forming. 

“Looky here, boys. We’ve got someone very pretty.” The bald man gestured with his chin as he detached from the wall, hands at his sides.

The second man perked up, cocking his head as he looked at the petrified boy. A tall pair of horns marked him as a Beastman, but seemed lopsided as he tilted his head, something off. “The boss would love him for his collection, don’t you think?”

The third man, buffer than the others, brightened. “Oh, those eyes! Those are rare indeed!” His gaze fixated on the boy’s unusual red eyes, like a wolf hungrily eying its prey, staring down the smaller into submission.

The boy slowly started backing away, biting his lip as a small, nearly silent gasp formed in his throat. A hand went under his cloak as his fingers flexed, sparks of light forming around his hand. His eyes darted from each of the men to the wall behind them, noting the buildings and sky visible behind the dead end.

“Come now, little one. We don’t want to harm ya,” the bald man coaxed, extending a hand as he took a step closer. “Just come with us and you won’t get hurt, yeah?”

“Mmm, maybe ya should’ve tried the ‘help find mommy and daddy card’ first,” suggested the Beastman from behind, ready to pounce. He had what seemed to be a rag in his hand while his buff companion had brought out some rope. “Cuts out the screaming and running.”  

“Shut it!” his bald companion snapped, flashing a smile that was anything but reassuring. “Now, come here, you little—” The man lunged, hand outstretched. The boy jumped to the side, drawing his hand from beneath his cloak, a magical glow shimmering as he channeled mana, the life force and magic in all living things.

“Geronimo!” A voice rang out from above, drawing everyone’s attention. 

As the bald man looked up he was met with a solid kick as a booted foot landed squarely on his face, sending him crumpling to the ground. The next instant the two other thugs found themselves gasping for air as something simultaneously connected with their stomachs. 

They barely had time to register the gut punches as they flew backwards and slammed into the wall. With grunts the duo crumpled to the ground in a heap, two clear dents now in the wall. The Beastman had been hit so hard it seemed his horns had been knocked loose, fully askew.

“Whoops.” Kasla grinned mischievously, dusting off his hands as he looked at his handiwork. The two he had punched were out cold, sure to be wheezing for breath once they came to. The bald man was sprawled, his face a bloody mess from his possibly broken nose. He felt proud at the fact he had managed to scale the nearby building in record time so he could get a bird’s-eye view into the alley from the rooftop without simply charging in, successfully dispatching three undeniable criminals.

The white haired boy stared at Kasla with wide eyes. The glow that had been forming around his hand was gone, the excitement obliterating his concentration. Kasla smiled triumphantly, but remembered where he was, his heroic feat to be celebrated later. 

To the child he was a stranger who fell from the sky, a possible additional hostile party. Kasla cast a quick glimpse around to make sure they were the only ones left standing in the alleyway, no other potential kidnappers in sight.

It’s a good thing I made it in time, he thought as he turned to face the boy. “Heya, I hope I made it in time. Are you hurt? Come on, let’s get out of here before more of those goons show up. Stick close to me, alright?” 

The boy seemed thankfully unharmed, not a hair out of place aside from a few cowlicks. Kasla gestured to himself and flashed a wide grin, trying his best heroic pose. “I’ve got your back.” The boy looked from Kasla to the thugs, hesitant and worried. 

“Don’t worry, I knocked them out pretty good. They won’t wake up any time soon.” Kasla flashed a thumbs up before gesturing towards the entrance. The boy nodded and hurriedly followed to where people meandered about, oblivious to what had almost occurred in the alley.

Kasla felt rejuvenated after the exercise in heroics, stretching as energy surged through him. The boy on the other hand had stopped and was panting, shaking from the adrenaline rush. They moved to the side, hugging close to a building to get out of the way and for some privacy. 

“So, kid. Where’s your parents?” Kasla inquired as the boy took deep breaths, a hand over his chest. He frowned with concern. “You shouldn’t go into dark alleys alone, you know? There’s creepy people roaming around, lurking behind corners, just waiting to snatch kids away!”

The boy looked up with an alarmed but understanding expression. As he panted he nodded, not offering a thank you or retort. He gulped for air as he patted his chest, seemingly self-soothing.

Kasla felt slightly guilty at the boy’s fright, but also curious, deciding how to best reassure the lost child. With a smile he teased, “What, cat got your tongue? You can talk to me, you know? I’m not a bad guy!” He gestured towards the alleyway. “I’ve got three fine examples if you need them.”

The boy took one more breath before reaching for his bag slung over his shoulder. He pulled out what appeared to be a chalkboard and a piece of chalk. He proceeded to write before holding it up. 

“I can’t even if I wanted to.”

“Oh, um… I’m sorry kid, didn’t know you were mute.” Kasla felt his mouth go dry, the humor he had intended shriveling up like grapes left in the sun. His gut twisted with shame as his expression fell, apologetic as what high he had from his daring rescue vanished. “I hope I didn’t offend you.” 

The boy shook his head, a small smile forming. Kasla felt a smidge of relief, offering an apologetic smile. Back home there was an older deaf Elf who had communicated with a series of gestures and writing as well, but their interactions had been limited.

“So… uh…” Kasla scratched his head, fishing for an inkling of what to do next. He had at least established goodwill, but he needed to go one step further and actually get the boy back to his parents. If the rumors were true about the guards, he couldn't trust them to safely return the boy back home.

“What’s your name? I can’t just keep calling you kid forever.” He decided to venture a more personal connection to make some headway.

“I’m not allowed to say my name or talk to strangers.” The boy gave Kasla a skeptical look as he underlined strangers for emphasis.

Kasla brightened, nervous, but excited the boy was choosing to engage. “Oh? Well, my name’s Kasla. There, I’m not a stranger anymore, right? Plus you’re already talking to me so…”

“Doesn’t count.”

“Oh, you’re a tough one, aren’t you? Well, I guess you have a point.” Kasla couldn’t help chuckling, the boy’s expression firm despite his adorable features. The boy seemed roughly six years younger than him, about ten years old yet with a clear younger innocence that was endearing and nostalgic. 

“Stranger danger, huh? Your parents really taught you well—though maybe they should worry more about dark alleys. Hm… How about this: I’ll call you Rabbit cause you look like a white rabbit!”  

The boy glared, clearly pouting. With pressed lips and puffed cheeks he angrily scribbled on his board, “That’s a terrible name! I’m not a rabbit!” He gestured to his head, showing a clear lack of bunny ears and stuck his tongue out in disgust.

Kasla chuckled, the boy’s annoyance amusing. He straightened, tipping his hat. “Well then, Rabbit. How about I help you find your parents? The guards, uh, have a lot on their plate so I’ll lend a hand instead. Do you know where your folks could be? You can describe them to me… Or better yet, draw them! I bet you’re really good!”

Rabbit gave him the stink eye for a moment before wiping his board. Kasla feared for a moment he was about to be told off, but noticed the boy was doing circular motions and scribbling. After a minute he turned the board around, beaming.

Kasla stared at the drawing, suddenly regretting his idea. “Ahh… okay, long hair and… Are those angry eyes and sharp teeth? That’s uh… an interesting guy! Is he your dad?” It certainly was unexpected, if not a bit unsettling. He hoped he guessed right, the drawing making the figure’s gender ambiguous. 

To him the portrait looked like a grumpy egg face with long straight hair and sharp teeth that were bared like a dog’s. Kasla wondered just how accurate it was, whether simply a child’s depiction of an irritable parent or if it was in fact an accurate portrayal. He sincerely hoped for the former, not sure he wanted to meet a severely grumpy looking man who looked capable of literally biting one’s head off—even if he had a chance of getting in his good graces. 

The guy looks scary if he has shark-like teeth! Is he some kind of a Beastman? 

Rabbit nodded, proud of his drawing. He looked the happiest since Kasla first saw him and he took solace in that fact.

Keeping his thoughts to himself about the portrait’s accuracy, Kasla flashed a smile. “Alright, I promise to get you back to your dad, so rest easy, Rabbit! Big brother Kasla’s on the case!” He gave a thumbs up, winking at the boy. “With me around those thugs will never get you, that’s a promise.”

Kasla placed his hands on his hips and cast a look around. “Now then. Where do we start searching for your dad, hm? Maybe the marketplace, is that where you saw him last?” 

Rabbit gave a nod and Kasla felt emboldened, smiling. “We should start there! He has to be tearing up the place looking for you.” 

The duo rushed off with renewed energy and hope. They weaved around various people, excusing themselves while Kasla told Rabbit to keep a firm hold on his shirt. Making their way towards the marketplace, focused on locating the misplaced father, neither noticed the interested gazes that followed them. One set of eyes in particular tracked their movement until they disappeared out of sight, the gaze lingering as if committing to memory where they had headed.