Chapter 115: The Jealousy

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Jealousy

POV Switch: Lyra

Lyra walked through the streets of Silverbrook, her footsteps carrying her forward with purpose.

She walked with purpose, her stride steady and sure. She walked with determination, her expression focused and intent. She walked with her eyes sharp, her gaze scanning the surroundings. And her hand near her gun, her fingers resting on the grip.

She was going to get food, her mission clear. Enough for a week, the amount specified. That was her mission, her task, her goal.

The streets were busy, the crowds thick. The crowds were thick, the people pressing in from all sides. The stalls were loud, the merchants shouting their wares.

People stared at her, their eyes following her form.

Women stared with jealousy, their expressions envious. They looked at her face, the features striking. At her hair, the strands dark and smooth. At her body, the form lean and strong. At her dress, the fabric fitted and flattering. They whispered to each other, their voices low and conspiratorial. They scowled, their expressions sour. They glared, their eyes burning.

Men stared with lust, their gazes hungry. They looked at her legs, the limbs long and shapely. At her chest, the curves prominent. At her lips, the mouth full and soft. At her eyes, the gaze intense. They smiled, their expressions predatory. They licked their lips, their tongues wet. They made comments, their words crude and unwanted.

Lyra hated it.

She hated the way they looked at her, their eyes invasive. She hated the way they whispered, their voices judgmental. She hated the way they judged, their opinions unwelcome.

She kept walking, her footsteps steady. She kept her eyes forward, her gaze fixed ahead. She kept her hand near her gun, her fingers ready.

But the stares didn’t stop, their eyes persistent. The whispers didn’t stop, their voices constant. The comments didn’t stop, their words relentless.

She hated it.

She didn’t hate it when she was with Daniel, his presence a shield. When she was with Daniel, people didn’t stare, their eyes averted. Or if they did, Daniel would handle it, his glare fierce. He would glare at them, his eyes cold. He would threaten them, his voice low. He would protect her, his presence strong.

But Daniel wasn’t here.

She was alone, her form vulnerable.

She kept walking, her footsteps steady. The stares continued, their eyes persistent. The whispers continued, their voices constant. The comments continued, their words relentless.

Then she noticed something.

A feeling in her chest, the sensation strange. A strange, twisting feeling, the emotion unfamiliar. It was uncomfortable, the sensation unpleasant. It was confusing, the emotion puzzling. It was painful, the feeling sharp.

She didn’t understand it, her mind unable to identify the source.

It happened when Daniel talked to Elara, his voice warm. It happened when Daniel smiled at Elara, his expression gentle. It happened when Daniel flirted with Elara, his words playful.

She didn’t know what it was, her mind unable to name it. She didn’t know why it happened, her thoughts unable to explain it. She didn’t know how to stop it, her will unable to control it.

She just knew she didn’t like it, her instinct clear.

She kept walking, her footsteps steady. The feeling stayed, the sensation persistent. The stares continued, their eyes invasive. The whispers continued, their voices judgmental.

Then she saw something.

A man running toward her, his form frantic.

He was running fast, his steps desperate. He was running desperately, his breath ragged. He was running for his life, his expression terrified.

He was Brick Head.

Behind him was a mob, their numbers large. A large mob, the crowd vast. Dozens of people, their forms filling the street. They were armed with sticks and stones and tools, their hands full. They were angry, their faces red. They were furious, their voices loud. They were out for blood, their intent clear.

Brick Head saw Lyra, his eyes meeting hers. His eyes widened, his pupils dilating. His mouth opened, his jaw dropping.

"Run!" he shouted, his voice desperate. "Run!"

Lyra blinked, her expression confused. "What?"

"Run!"

She didn’t know what was happening, her mind struggling to process. She didn’t know why Brick Head was running, his flight unexplained. She didn’t know why a mob was chasing him, their pursuit mysterious.

But she started running anyway, her legs moving.

Brick Head caught up to her, his steps matching hers. His body was bruised, the marks visible. His face was bleeding, the blood dripping. His breath was ragged, the air sharp.

"What’s happening?" Lyra demanded, her voice sharp. "Why are you being chased?"

Brick Head looked at her, his expression wild.

"I’m not sure!" he shouted, his voice frantic. "Some people started beating me up because I insulted a statue!"

Lyra stared at him, her expression incredulous. "What?"

"A statue! A big statue! In a fountain! I said it looked like a dick!"

Lyra’s eye twitched, her expression darkening. "You said what?"

"A dick! It looked like a dick! And they got angry!"

Lyra’s mouth fell open, her jaw dropping. "Why would you say that?"

"It looked like a dick! I was just being honest!"

Lyra groaned, a long, frustrated sound. She looked behind them, her eyes moving over the mob. At the mob, the crowd vast. At their angry faces, the expressions fierce. At their raised weapons, the objects threatening.

"They’re still coming!" she shouted, her voice urgent.

Brick Head nodded, his head bobbing. "I know! That’s why I need your help!"

Lyra looked at him, her expression confused. "My help?"

"To destroy the statue!"

Lyra stared at him, her expression bewildered. "What?"

"The statue! They’re probably under its control! If we destroy it, we can save the city!"

Lyra blinked, her mind struggling to process. "What are you talking about?"

"The statue! It’s a demon! Or a monster! Or something! It’s controlling them!"

Lyra stared at him, her expression incredulous. "Are you insane?"

"No! I’m a hero!"

"You’re an idiot!"

"That too!"

The mob shouted behind them, their voices loud.

"There she is! The demon worshipper! The girl is with him!"

Lyra’s eyes widened, her expression shocked. She looked at the mob, her gaze moving over their forms. At their angry faces, the expressions fierce. At their pointing fingers, the gestures accusing.

"What?" she shouted, her voice desperate. "I’m not a demon worshipper!"

"She’s with him!" someone shouted, their voice carrying. "She’s helping him! She’s a heretic too!"

The mob roared, their voices rising. They were angrier now, their expressions fiercer. More furious, their features twisted. More determined, their pace quickening.

Lyra looked at Brick Head, her eyes burning.

"Why did you have to bring me into this?" she shouted, her voice furious.

Brick Head shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling. "I didn’t! You just happened to be here!"

"You ran toward me!"

"I ran toward the exit! You were in the way!"

Lyra groaned, a long, frustrated sound. She looked at the mob, her eyes moving over their forms. At their raised weapons, the objects threatening. At their angry faces, the expressions fierce.

She sighed, a long, resigned sound.

"Fine," she said, her voice flat. "I’ll help you."

Brick Head’s eyes lit up, his expression brightening. "Really?"

"Really. But only because I don’t want to die."

"That’s the spirit!"

"What’s the plan?"

Brick Head thought about it, his brow furrowing. His expression was confused, his mind struggling.

"Plan?" he said, his voice uncertain.

Lyra stared at him, her expression incredulous. "You don’t have a plan?"

"Real heroes don’t need plans!"

Lyra groaned again, her voice frustrated. She muttered under her breath, her words barely audible.

"Why do I always end up with this guy when Daniel is not around?"