Chapter 13: Ien Reed

8 years before Robin's awakening.

The place seemed interesting to her, but even with earplugs, the sharp noise—like visiting the dentist—drilled through her ears.

“How can you do that?” Ien asked. “Why doesn't the wood break?”

In one of the work areas, they were putting the finishing touches on a piece of wood that was part of the furniture for a restoration project.

“Don't ignore me. Come on, tell me how you do it." An eleven-year-old Ien was tugging at one of the workers' sleeves "Come on, big sis, what's that noisy thing for? How does it join together? Is that paint?”

“AAAAAHHHHH, SHUT UP ALREADY, BRAT!” shouted a young blonde. “Why do you come when I'm working?! Go home and watch TV! Or get yourself a boyfriend and leave me alone.”

“But I'm only eleven years old!” Ien protested. “I can't have a boyfriend; I don't want to get married yet. At least not until I'm 24.”

“Oh, brat…”

“Your little sister is adorable, Elynne,” said a middle-aged man. “Why don't you take her home? You've made so much progress that you don't need to be here all day.”

“B-but, boss!” Elynne protested. “Don't indulge my sister! Work is work, and I can't leave it for her.”

“It's overtime, Elynne. Don't exaggerate.”

“But—!”

“You heard your boss! Don't argue with authority, and buy me an ice cream while you're at it." Little Ien smiled at Elynne, trying to manipulate her.

“You little…”

“Go on, buy her something. Here, take some discount coupons,” said Elynne's boss, “and accompany your sweet little sister. It's an order, isn't that right, Ien?”

“Yes!” Ien shouted, looking at the boss conspiratorially and giving a thumbs up. “It's the boss's order, so you can't refuse.”

The older sister, seeing those puppy dog eyes, gave in to her and her meddling boss who was in the middle of a cuteness attack.

“You got your way in the end, brat.”

“Heh, heh.”

The workshop where Elynne worked was small, but it had a great reputation. It specialized in restoring structures of all kinds, though their specialty was wood and steel.

It had gotten late—it was going to be past eight in the evening. When she finished, Elynne hurried to shower and change; she didn't want to run into the worst of District 13 at those hours.

They left behind the smell of varnish for that of fried food. The sun had set and the last workers of the day shift remained.

“Sister, did you do what you promised me?” Ien asked Elynne when they were outside.

“I'm working on it. Listen… I just can't make things in the middle of work.”

“Don't forget. Promises aren't meant to be broken. You have to make me the puppy from the movie!”

“Yes, yes, pest. And hurry up; it's not very safe at night.”

District 13 was industrial, with all the sounds that involved. Even though it was late, they both could hear the pounding of machines or the whistles marking the end of shifts. The street was flooded with the smell of fast food from street stalls.

“I'm getting hungry. Will you buy me something to eat?” Ien gave in to the surrounding delicacies.

Elynne was also, though she wouldn't admit it, clutching her stomach.

“Look at the coupon he gave us… Cheap old man." Well, she was more or less grateful "It's only for instant ramen.”

“Ramen is fine,” they walked along the damaged sidewalk toward the subway station. “I like the plastic taste.”

“Whatever you say." Unlike Ien, Elynne wasn't a very expressive person "I'll buy ice cream for dessert anyway.”

“Yes! Ice cream!” Ien jumped for joy. “We'll share it, don't worry.”

“I hate sweet things. You can swallow it all by yourself. And don't let go of me.”

Since the station was only a few blocks away, they never took a taxi—an unnecessary expense. However, Elynne doubled her precautions with her sister.

Ien's laughter faded a bit when they turned the corner. The air was polluted by chimney smoke, and much quieter. That street was little traveled, but it was the fastest route to the station.

A few meters away, a man leaning against a post straightened up when he saw them. The tattoo on his arm seemed to move under the flickering light of the sign.

“Oh, look what we have here.”

“Hello, beautiful!” the man who looked like he'd come out of prison. “How about you come with me to a bar and I'll buy you some drinks, or do you prefer money?”

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The man confronted her face to face shamelessly, almost running over Ien and ignoring her presence.

“Don't you see I'm with a child, you brute!” Elynne gave him a shove. “Pay your mother's **** to keep you company! Idiot!”

Instinctively, she pushed Ien away. She faced the man, until she could smell his liquor breath on her face.

“Hey, bitch!” the man stopped. “Show more respect for my mother!”

Ien began pulling her arm for them to get away.

“Aw, poor thing…” Elynne tilted her head and smiled, showing her teeth. “I didn't know mommy still wiped your ***.”

She had started playing with fire. Poor Ien was urging the situation, anchored to her arm. The flickering of the streetlights didn't help either.

“Elynne, let's go,” Ien squeezed her tighter. “We need to leave.”

“Let's see, repeat that,” the man put his hands in his pockets. “What did you say about my mother?”

The guy planted himself in front of her. He had several tattoos and was missing a tooth. He had a scar on his face and dark glasses. Likewise, he was what in Anesse is known as a “soldier”: guys from the low ranks of the gangs.

Elynne noticed that the guy was about to lose his temper… and that he was more armed than he appeared. Both held each other's gaze, with Ien trembling…

WEE-WOO

An ambulance passed down the street, illuminating the scene with its red and blue lights. The man stopped for a moment, but didn't move.

Seeing Ien, he held back from saying anything more. In the end, Elynne gave in and started running with Ien, taking advantage of having witnesses.

“Tsk…” the man spat on the ground. “Better not let me see you again, whore!”

They came out onto the main street a few blocks from the train station.

“Sister, please, don't get into trouble. What if they hurt you?”

“Bah, I know how to defend myself. You're the one who needs protection the most.”

“And even so, you were about to hit him right next to me… you're hopeless,” Ien looked at her, still trembling. “Next time… let's go another way.”

They continued in silence, until Elynne broke the ice.

“Hey, Ien. Mo—”

“Yes, she came back home. She sent me a message.”

Ien interrupted her; she didn't want to get into painful conversations that weren't worth it. And her words weren't clear enough: her face said it all.

The older sister grumbled… she knew what that meant.

“Hey, could we stop by the pet store?” Elynne asked, changing the subject. “Do you want to see the dogs? I'm also craving some ramen, but homemade.”

“Sure!” Ien smiled. “But forget about the noodles, I'm fine with just ice cream. Save the money for something else.”

“Brat! If I tell you it's okay, it's because it's okay. If I really didn't have enough, I'd go by myself to eat a bowl.”

“If you spend like that, you'll never have enough for anything.”

“God, annoying little girl! How old are you? Eleven or forty? If an adult tells you it's okay to spend, you eat and shut up.”

“Heh, heh. I'm just looking out for you, sister.”

“I'm the one who has to do that, not the other way around. Understood?”

“Yes,” Ien shrugged. “I love you very much.”

Elynne blushed at seeing Ien's expression, so much that she had to look away.

“You better… Noisy brat,” they continued like this until they reached the station. “Ugh, how this place reeks of urine.”

Island thirteen, or Saint Mary district, was one of the oldest in Anesse. Before the attack that created the islands, it was already an old and deteriorated neighborhood… strange smells were common.

“Ien, since… ❝she❞ was at home, could you do me a favor? I want you to wait for me at the store. Roger will take care of you.”

Ien's face transformed into a fake smile.

“Don't… take too long,” she practically sensed what was going to happen.

“I'll be quick, I promise,” Elynne stroked her sister's head. “Don't worry, nothing will happen to me.”

“Agent Ien trusts her subordinate,” she returned the gesture with a thumbs up. “Return to base safe and sound, sergeant.”

Elynne laughed at her sister's antics.

They stopped in front of the storefront. Before entering, Elynne squeezed her sister's hand a little. A strange way of feeling that she was with her and a lament of helplessness.

She bit her lower lip, containing her desire to do more for her.

❝Little sister…❞ a bitter lament ran through Ien's heart.

When they opened the door, the store's welcome chime sounded. A small place, where the owner was a friend of the Reeds.

“You could at least clean up a bit,” Elynne said. “Roger, please do something about the trash.”

“H-Hello, Elynne!” the clerk stumbled out from behind the counter because of the food boxes scattered on the floor. “U-ugh, sorry. This is a bit… messy. Um… yeah.”

“Don't wor—”

MEOWWWW

“Damn!” Elynne carelessly stepped on the cat's tail. “Stupid cat—!”

“There you were, little one. Where had you been hiding?” the clerk picked up the cat that had jumped onto the counter. “I recommend you stay away, this Paul is very vindictive.”

“Paul?” Elynne asked. “What a name for a cat.”

“Hello, Roger,” Ien approached the counter. “Can I go to the pen?”

Hi, Ien. Yes, of course, go carefully… Don't feed them candy, please!”

She headed to the back area. A recreation zone where you could play with various animals.

“Would you do me the favor of watching her. I have to go shopping… You know where.”

“Did your mother come back home?” he asked with sorrow.

But the answer came in an uncomfortable silence, where Roger knew to stay away from the topic.

“I'll take care of her. Go to… whatever you have to do.”

“Thanks. I won't be long.”

“Ah! Elynne!” Roger shouted from the counter before she left. “Are we still on for Tuesday?”

She gave him a wink while standing under the doorframe. The door chime was heard as it closed, leaving the naive clerk hopeful.

Elynne, like her sister, had blonde hair, but more wavy and shoulder-length. Her eyes were gray, which contrasted with Ien's bright red ones. She was an attractive girl… so much so that it wasn't surprising that men approached her on the street…

“Yes!” After a gesture, he grabbed the kitten, lifting it up. “See, Paul! I told you she wouldn't regret it!”

“Hey, Roger. Do you really want to go out with her that badly?” Ien asked from behind the shopkeeper.

“Ah! Don't scare me like that,” he gave a little jump. “No, that… it's none of your business.”

“Do you want me to give you advice on how to win her over?” She smiled mischievously. “I know her better…”

“I-I'm not… so desperate as to ask a child about love.”

“Heh… I can see it's been working well for you without help. Okay, okay. Leave it to your luck, Mr. pet store clerk.”

…

❝This little girl is quite the manipulator,❞ was all Roger thought as he saw through Ien's intentions.

“Okay, okay. I give up. Tell me how I can… well… that… win over Elynne.”

Streets where even God had grown bored of watching over, with a family as dysfunctional as any other in Anesse, it had been a normal afternoon for Ien.

A good life, a bad life, in a house that held nothing good in store for them.

Ien had only gone to the workshop again because she had nowhere else to hide.

8 years before Robin awakened. When the 10-link stone awakened.

January 4th, 1317