It’s hard to focus.

  His steps are big and rough, like riding the bus all over again…

  I wish he didn’t carry me like a princess… whatever…

  Seems like he knows where Lirien’s house is at least…

  I’m going to owe Miss Rina even more money… shit…

  but he deserved it… he’ll remember me every day he has to eat soup.

  “Heh ha ha ha–gha-ka-ka-ugh–”

  Blood all over my chin… I shouldn’t be laughing…

  the orc keeps talking about something but my head is ringing…

  I just nod and he laughs… and bounces… I should be quiet.

  After a few hefty bangs Faela answered the door and screamed…

  great… now Lirien is going to bitch at me for this too…

  the orc says something to him and he starts waving his arms… that's nice…

  Closing my eyes, I can feel my skin push back together.

  It doesn’t hurt but I don’t like how it feels when the bones move back in place.

  My vision is clearing up — looks like I'm in their living room now.

  The orc is squeezed next to me on the couch.

  Faela’s holding my hand.

  She looks the way mom used to when I came home beat up.

  With my biggest smile:

  “Sorry for the trouble ma’am, I’ll try not to make it a habit.”

  She taps my hands and nods before heading off to the kitchen.

  Lirien finishes up his chanting and gives me a stern look.

  “What the hell happened? He says you started a big fight at the bar.”

  Shit, he doesn’t need to be all worried about his sister.

  “They were a bunch of shitheads. They deserved it!”

  He throws up his hands, pointing to the orc while red-faced.

  “He says you agreed to work for him to pay off how beat up you are. Did you forget you owe us money too? You can’t just fight and fight and hope everything works out dammit!”

  Clicking my tongue and rolling my eyes, I know he’s not completely wrong.

  The orc just laughs.

  “Hoi, said he’d work fo’ me, neva’ said I ain’t payin’. I jus’ wonna see ‘em foight sum mor’, ‘elp me wit’ sum shit an’ I’ll giv’ ya a lil’ cash make it wort’cha time.”

  Lirien just slumps into a chair with a sigh.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “It’s fine… Just don’t get too beat up if I’m not around, ok? I… I know you're tough and all, and I know you're working hard, but just think next time… please?”

  He looks like he’s going to cry again.

  Damn this family knows how to guilt trip.

  I throw on a serious face and give him a nod.

  He gives that sad smile he loves to pull on me before heading to bed.

  The orc rattles my teeth with a slap on the back as he heads out the door.

  “we’z gonna ‘ave fun, yeh my koinda guy, I wonna see if’in yeh got sum big eggs in yeh pants loike ah real mahn. Names Drashka! See yeh teh ‘morrow out fron’ tha’ tavern.”

  I can hear him laughing all the way down the road.

  At least someone's excited.

  I go lie down in their guest room, but trying to sleep is impossible.

  I’m still pissed about the tavern — barely taught him a lesson and I look like a pussy now that the orc had to rescue me.

  Outside the window I hear Trav saying goodnight to Lyria.

  She comes into the house careful not to wake up anyone.

  Footsteps approach the door to my room.

  I can hear breathing, slow and careful.

  There's a little whisper.

  “Gōki… are you awake?”

  Can’t even play hero anymore, not after I fucked up tonight.

  It’s quiet for a long time.

  The door creaks a little as she pushes it open just a crack.

  Turning toward the door I can see her shadow.

  The whites of her eyes shine.

  Her voice is quiet, but so clear.

  “Sorry you got hurt… I’ll see you tomorrow like usual, right?”

  Covering my head with the blanket, pretending to be tired.

  “It was nothing… Yea… Tomorrow.”

  She closes the door gently, barely whispering.

  “Thank you…”

  Little creaks from the floor follow her down the hall.

  For a while the night just plays in my head, again and again.

  My eyes start to feel heavy…

  Next time I’ll win… the big hero… Gōki Takanouchi… You’ll see.

  Everything almost felt like a far away dream — warm sun on my face, breakfast smells, a great day to sleep in.

  I slowly rise from bed, joints popping like a cheap tokusatsu robot.

  Mom would be proud I’ve become so productive…

  Faela catches me at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Breakfast is on the counter. Lyria made it just for yo~o~ou.”

  Lyria must have told her what happened.

  I try not to smile but Faela keeps looking at me and it's making my cheeks burn.

  They look like little pancakes — some kind of brownish powder on the top, smells nice.

  So pull up a chair.

  They aren't sweet like pancakes, almost like omelettes… maybe it's eggs… but eggs don’t look like this…

  Faela giggles watching me eat.

  She sees the gears turning in my head.

  “It’s egg-flats. Maybe they prepare it differently where you're from. Is it good?”

  I nod and shovel more into my mouth.

  After I eat she takes the dishes in a bucket out back.

  “Stay out of trouble Gōki, or at least make sure the trouble is worth it–Hmhm.”

  Now she’s teasing me too.

  Can’t catch a break.

  Heading to the front door I call back to her.

  “See you tonight, thanks for cleaning up.”

  It’s a nice day out — hard to believe I was carried home last night.

  The breeze smells fresh and I walk to the tavern, not exactly in a rush to find out what Drashka wants.

  Along the road some of the villagers wave to me, others glare or spit.

  At least not everyone hates me.

  The dirt in the lot outside is still dark with blood.

  Kicking it a few times helps mix it around but doesn’t really make me feel better about losing.

  Inside the place is empty other than Drashka sitting together at a table with Lyria.

  Drashka points to me.

  “Look dare’ iz’ da’ big lil’ mahn ‘imself, go chat wit’ him fo’ a bit stead’ a me.”

  Lyria just laughs and waves me over.

  She doesn’t waste any time.

  “Gōki, is it true? Are you really going to work together? What are you two doing? Is it dangerous? He says it’ll be easy.”

  It’s nice that she’s back to her normal self at least.

  Counting off the answer on my fingers.

  “Um… yes… yes… not sure… maybe? We still gotta talk it out. Can ya get me a drink Lyria?”

  I fish out a coin and flip it to her.

  She nods and skips to the back.

  Drashka sighs like an old man undoing his belt.

  “Aw’ than’ gohd, she’s ben’ yappin’ all mornin’, jus’ on an’ on.”

  He nudges me.

  “Finish ya beer an we’ll get goin’. ‘erd yer pretty strong an’ ya know how ta’ carry stuff, thas wut I need.”

  Even the orcs want bag boys huh?

  Gralkus saw something special in me.

  He knew I was meant for this life.

  Lyria hands me the drink and I throw on a smile — supposed to be making money today, not moping.

  She goes to the other tables setting up for the day, while I watch between sips.

  I chug down the rest of my beer.

  “So… What am I carrying for you?”

  He just shrugs as he stands up before we head to the door.

  “Donno… uh… Whateva’ weh kill I guess. I’z gonna be ah long day huntin’ so maybe ah lil’, maybe a lot.”

  Lyria waves us out but is busy talking with the customers that pass us by.

  Hopefully I’ll have a half decent story for her when we get back.

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