Alis Grave Nil Xander and violet walked through Alvis together searching for some parts Calvin

needed for the shop. It had been nearly a month since their first encounter and the teens got along a bit better now. Violet was grateful to have someplace seemingly safe to stay. Calvin was a good man and after fiddling with violets stop watch there was no way he would let her go back out on the streets. Xander objected to her staying with them at first, and though he wouldnt admit it out loud; it was nice to have someone his age around. The boy had never had many friends; he just wasnt the easiest person to get to know. But after spending nearly every waking hour with Violet he had really warmed up to her. Of course they still bickered, but it was all in fun. Despite all Calvins hard work he hadnt been able to fix the watch yet. He had tried everything he could think of but he just couldnt get the beautiful trinket to wind. Something told him it had nothing to do with the watches inner workings, there was more to it. He had been doing some research and had a hunch the clock was missing a part, something special and very important. That is what he had sent the pair of teens out to find in the market that day. Do you even know where we are going? Gears for brains. Violet teased as she tugged the little hand scrawled map from Xanders mechanical hand. Oi! Hands off woman! This is a mans job, you just stand there and look pre- never mind that. You know if I wasnt a better person then you I would have blasted you for that. Violet mumbled as she looked over the map, shoving it in her pocket and proceeding on. This way, gears for brains. Violet led the way through the crowded streets, ignoring peddles trying to draw their attention to their booths. They were on a mission and there was no way she was stopping to get scammed. After a bit of walking they made their way to the back corner of the market. On one side were the slave peddles, usually 1

selling half breeds as cheap labor; on the other side was the tent they were looking for. Told you I knew the streets better then you. She smirked triumphantly. Shut your mouth before I hey; dont walk off when Im threatening you! Xander chased after her, following her into the pitch black tent. Xander glanced around, his white hair falling in front of his bright green eyes. The tent was dark, a fact that made him rather uneasy. He pulled a trinket out of his pocket fooling around with it as they waited for someone to come greet them. Calvin had told them not to barge in, to wait at the entrance or they could get themselves in some real trouble. Xander ran his thumb over the trinket feeling for the switch, pressing it once he found it. A steady click, click, click came from the object as the gears on the inside winded until there was enough energy to light the bulb inside. What is it youre playing with? Do you want to get us in trouble? Violet hissed in his ear, standing on her tiptoes, just barely able to reach. Its a flicker; I made it with Calvins help I dont like just standing here in the dark. Someone scarrrred? She teased, jumping as some odd noises came from further inside the tent. What was that? Probably just a cat or something. Xander replied rather coldly. After a few moments the noises came closer. A thump followed by a scraping sound. Violet looked up at Xander clearly a bit put off by the rather creepy noises. Xander however was furmilur with such sounds. He had been working with mechanics since he was youngsince he lost his arm. He had been helpless for months, depressed and shut inside. He would no longer go out and play with the other children, or even talk. He had thought the loss of his arm was the end of the world. Calvin had gotten fed up with it and given the boy a pep talk. 2

Alis Grave Nil It's not even your whole arm boy! But you act like its the end of the world you must have really been attached to that hand huh? Well Im tired of all this moping around! Youre going to make yourself a new arm you make it and ill make sure it will work. Of course Xander was hesitant; he had almost no confidence in himself. But after a bit of thinking he got to work. In three weeks he had made himself a mechanical arm that would attach at the elbow. There was a problem though; he didnt know how to make it work and move like a natural arm. With the help of Calvin they got the arm hooked up and working using special sensors that received signals from the wearers nerves, causing the machine to work. After years of practice, Xander was very handy with tools. He had made himself countless arms, trying to prefect them each upgrade. The noises they were hearing came from a machine. Xander listened before turning and looking at his companion. He had analyzed the sound and came to the conclusion it was a poorly made mechanical leg they were hearing. It hadnt been taken care of, seeing as it was scraping with each movement. The joints hadnt been calibrated correctly either, or it wouldnt be thumping to the ground with each step. Dont stare when they come out ok? People dont like it when you stare at their prosthetics. He glanced down at her. Alright, I wont stare how you know they have prosthetics? she ask quietly, almost whispering. I can hear it You know what? Just dont stare at all, look at the ground or something. Those eyes of yours can seem pretty threatening. With that the thumping and scraping stopped. Xander looked up, seeing a rather angry looking half man, half bull hybrid. He wore tattered clothes, had a prosthetics that connected at his hip, one of his horns were jagged where it had been broken off, and unlike most hybrids; the animal traits were more 3

dominant. He had the face of a bull, but the physical appearance of a man, and his eyes were defiantly human. Was this who they were supposed to be meeting? Xander shook his head, this couldnt be the man they were sent to see, it was one of his lackies. Are you here to lead us to Foraz? Xander ask, addressing the bull-man as he would any man, showing him some respect. The bull-man just gave a slight nod, throwing Xander off. He watched as the beast of a man turned and started to thump his way throw a long hallways into the main area of the tent. Xander slowly followed after him, grabbing Violets wrist, as she wasnt following. Oi, you just plan on standing there all day? he growled a bit irritated with her. No I just He has no voice box did you see the big scar on his neck poor creature. Her voice seemed genuinely sympathetic. Xander just shook his head and pulled her along, following after their guide. Soon they were led into a dimly lit area where a man sat in a rather plush chair; he was dressed very fine, and was rather round. His size indicated he ate well, unlike most of the other peddlers in the market. There had to be some reason he ate better Violet thought as she glanced around the room they were in. She scanned the area, looking for anything they might need to worry about. She could see the silhouette of three men stationed behind the tents black sheeted walls. They werent here to attack them though; they were here to protect the man that paid them. She looked to Xander, wondering why he hadnt spoken yet. We are here to pick up a part for Calvin, the master of the trinket shop. She spoke flatly looking across the room at the man, before getting a sharp jab in the side from Xanders elbow. Whats your name girl? You know its practically suicide to 4

Alis Grave Nil address me without an invitation to speak? the plump man grinned. I Im sorry for Violets ignorance, shes butt a dumb street girl who knows nothing of your customs sir. I hope a gift will make up for her ignorance. Xander piped up. Oooo a gift you say Well let me see what you have then boy. The man grinned for ear to ear like a child as Xander pulled the flicker from his pocket. This is all I have sir, but I assure you it is fine quality as I have made it myself. Xander held out the trinket. Ooo I do love trinkets. Brutus, fetch me my trinket will you? He spoke to the bull-man softly, almost as if he was talking to a child. But the mans behavior didnt fool Xander, this man had more power then it seemed. Once Brutus had fetched the flicker and given it to his boss they all stood quietly. Foraz looked it over and grinned approvingly before motioning to a man in the corner. The man walked off only to return a few moments later with a small box he presented to Xander. Xander glanced up at Foraz and took the box, nodding his thanks. Thats what Calvin asks for; he has already paid me so there is no need to worry about that. Foraz mumbled as he was more interested in his new toy. Thank you sir, we shall be leaving then. Calvin sends his thanks, he appreciates doing business with you. Xander spoke formally, a shock to Violet who hadnt said a word since the treats from Foraz. Ah and I appreciate his! Send him my greetings. Oh boy before you leave! Will you bring a trinket next time? I will pay you for it. He grinned childishly. Ah, of course sir. Xander chuckled and they each waved their goodbyes before Xander grabbed Violets wrist and let her out. He waited till they were outside and far down the cobblestone rode before stopping and turning to her, placing his 5

hands on her shoulders. He eyed her face and shook his head. You must be some kind of brain dead huh? He half shouted at her. How was I supposed to know I couldnt speak to him? She shouted back before pulling free of him. You lived on the streets right!? You never heard about him Yeah he acts like a little kid, but the man is ruthless! he said, dropping his hands and shaking his head with a slight sigh. You sound worried about me. She smirked before turning and starting to run through the crowed. It was a game they often played, racing each other through the throngs of people. Whoever got home first won and owed the other some sort of treat. Xander always copped out and gave Violet some cheep sort of candy. But if Xander won, violet would make a batch of brownies for the three of them. Xander had fallen behind, reaching the shop a good 10 minutes after Violet had. When he got there the door was wide open. It wasnt a particularly hot day, so Calvin had no reason to ask violet to leave the door open. Xander took a hesitant step forward, he could smell gun powder. The smell caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. He barged inside and looked around a bit panicked. The whole shop had been turned upside down. Parts were scattered all over the floor, cogs, gears, springs, and screws of all sorts. He looked around the front room; violet and Calvin were nowhere to be seen. He wanted to call for them but he was scared he would get no reply. He ran to the stares, taking them two at a time. Xander panted slightly and looked around the room; it was just as much of a mess as the shop downstairs. He froze, staring at the hard wood floors, a pool of blood coming from behind an over turned chair. The teen stood there for what felt like forever, staring at the blood as tears formed in his eyes. He heard whimpering from behind the chair, Violet. He made his way over quickly, though part of him didnt want to see; just run. There sat Violet, her small slender hands pressed to Calvins chest. Her whole body was shaking, tears streaming 6

Alis Grave Nil down her face as she mumbled incoherently. Though all her trouble would do no good, Calvin was already dead. Three barker shots had brought an end to him. One to the stomach, one to the chest, and the last to the head. Whoever had done this had wanted information based on the shorts that had been fired. Good old Calvin hadnt given them up. Xander sank to the floor, pulling Violet away from Calvins still warm, yet lifeless body. He held violet to his chest, she was a mess compared to him. Her breathing was staggered as she sobbed, and she was covered in blood from trying to stop the bleeding. I-it's all my fault. She whispered before pressing into him, sobbing against his shoulder. We have to get out of here Xander practically whispered as he whipped his eyes.