Chapter 32

  ? Not A Hero ?

  It was dark now—six long hours had passed since the kids had rushed Mira to the doctor. They all sat quietly in the small waiting room.

  Noor closed her eyes, calm but concerned, silently praying as her violin case rested gently on her lap.

  Tonno sat nearby, arms tightly crossed, his nerves barely contained.

  Pinch was sobbing quietly next to him.

  Lino paced back and forth like a worried parent awaiting a child’s birth, the tension evident in every step.

  Leo stood apart, deep in thought. His fists were clenched tightly in front of his mouth, brow furrowed as he fought to keep himself composed.

  Alex, with a bandage wrapped around his hurt hand from the blade, stood closest to the clinic door, refusing to sit.

  He had faith in Dr. Kranz, but the grim scene he’d witnessed earlier still haunted him.

  Dante stayed outside.

  The kids bore scrapes and bruises, already cleaned and wrapped by Alex’s careful hands.

  Inside the clinic, Dr. Kranz had managed to handle the other patients who arrived during those hours with quick but careful care—sending them to the small adjacent room or asking them to come back later, prioritizing Mira’s critical surgery above all else.

  His assistant, Maya, had taken charge of triaging, administering basic treatments, and calming anxious visitors, ensuring the flow of patients continued without interfering with the emergency at hand.

  Dr. Kranz stepped outside to the children waiting anxiously in the dim light of the clinic hallway.

  Everyone stood up, their eyes fixed on the doctor, hearts pounding, hoping for good news.

  “She pulled through,”

  A wave of relief crashed over them all.

  Pinch shouted, “HURRAY!” and jumped so high he almost toppled over.

  Tonno buried his face in his sleeve, crying tears of joy.

  "I wasn't worried at all... It's Mira after all." Lino huffed, though his voice cracked, and he scrubbed at his eyes with the heel of his hand.

  Noor whispered, “Thank god.” her palms raised in a small gesture of prayer.

  Leo sank down into a chair, letting out a deep breath, eyes drifting upward as if releasing some heavy weight.

  Alex clenched his fists, whispering, “Yes!”—a quiet victory.

  Kranz looked at Alex and asked, “Was it you?”

  Alex blinked, startled. “W-what? No! I wouldn’t… stab anyone, doctor!”

  Kranz’s voice was firm but kind. “I meant the first aid.”

  Alex scratched the back of his neck, shifting on his feet. “Ah… oh. Did I mess up anywhere?”

  Kranz nodded slightly. “The edges were a bit uneven, and… tying two pieces together — a longer single piece would have been better."

  Alex’s shoulders stiffened, his eyes dropping to the floor as heat pricked at the back of his neck.

  Kranz caught the boy’s tension, his own stern expression easing as he exhaled slowly. “That is but my own nitpicking. Under such pressure — and at your age — you acquitted yourself remarkably well. You kept her alive. You have every right to be proud.”

  The boy froze, heart hammering. His hands clenched and unclenched on their own. He blinked rapidly, swallowing hard, as if trying to make sense of the moment. “R-really? I… I’ve watched my father work for years, helped him with animals, minor cuts, bruises… And I’ve watched you, doctor. But this… this is the first time I’ve dealt with something this deep.”

  Kranz gave a gentle nod, his tone warm. “And you handled it, Alex. That counts more than you realize.”

  Lino and Tonno suddenly leapt on Alex, wrapping their arms around his head from behind.

  “Oh boy! You did it! You saved her!” Lino shouted, still tearing up but playful.

  Tonno smirked through his sobs, “You’re more than just a bull, huh, pretty boy?”

  Alex laughed weakly, blushing. “It's... nothing.”

  Pinch ran forward and hugged Alex tightly, sniffing. “I’m sorry… I stole from you the other day… I didn’t mean to be bad.”

  Alex hesitated, then gently patted him on the head. “That’s alright. Just... don’t do it again, please.”

  Pinch nodded with big innocent eyes.

  Leo, standing quietly behind, spoke up, “Can we see her, doctor?”

  Kranz shook his head. “No. We’ll keep her here under observation for several days. No visitors for now.”

  Leo’s shoulders relaxed fractionally, his nod deliberate. “Thank you,” he said. Gratitude and relief mingling in his quiet tone.

  Noor suddenly stepped forward and spoke to Dr. Kranz, surprising everyone.

  “How much, doctor? I will pay you. Just give me a few days, please.”

  The other kids immediately started checking their pockets, but Kranz raised a hand to stop them.

  “Children, that is enough. What sort of man would I be, charging at a group of youngsters your ages?”

  “If you wish to repay me, see to your friend. The streets are treacherous of late… no, they always have been.”

  The kids nodded, smiling.

  “It’s an honor to meet a man such as yourself.” Noor inclined her head with quiet dignity. Dr. Kranz smiled, caught off guard by the formality of her tone.

  Kranz continued, “Now, go home and tell her family. Her parents can come to see her tomorrow.”

  Leo’s face darkened slightly. “She’s an orphan.”

  Kranz’s expression turned sad. “I see... Anyway, come back after two days. She should be awake by then, and I can allow visits.”

  “Understood,” Leo replied.

  “Don’t forget to come this Sunday, Alex.” Kranz waved at the kids leaving the clinic. "Be safe, children."

  Alex nodded, still soaking it all in.

  As the kids left the clinic, Noor said softly, “You handled that… remarkably, Alex.”

  He blinked, caught off guard.

  “Calm as a doctor, when all around was chaos.”

  “Y-Yes... I mean, I had to stay calm.” Alex’s gaze dropped to the ground, fingers fidgeting at his sides.

  Pinch shouted. “Violin girl—she did help too!”

  The other children turned to him, curious.

  “She… she watched the fight!” Pinch jabbed a tiny finger toward Noor. “Saw Mira on the ground in all the ruckus and told me to run fetch the copper!”

  Then, he pointed toward Leo. “Then she ran off and told Leo what was happenin’, ‘cause he was busy helpin’ Tonno.”

  Noor’s gaze softened toward Pinch, a quiet warmth in her eyes. Then she straightened, composure returning. “You guys shouldn’t have fought them.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong. I know that. But it ended up escalating because I stood up to them — and someone almost died.”

  She moved closer, hesitated, then pulled her hands to her chest as if holding herself together.

  “I apologize,” she said quietly.

  “You didn’t stab anyone.” Lino said firmly

  “Yeah... I never imagined he would...” Tonno nodded.

  Pinch whispered, still disbelieving, “Did Zack really... do that?”

  Leo’s voice broke the hush, low and heavy. “How did this happen?”

  The question seemed aimed at no one and everyone.

  Alex’s fists clenched before Lino could speak. “It wasn’t Noor's fault.” His voice cracked. “It was me. Because of what I said to him.”

  Tonno frowned, taken aback. “What? Did you tell him to kill Mira?”

  Alex shook his head, sharp. “No. But I provoked him. I didn’t think he’d…go this far.” His shoulders trembled. “I’m glad I saved a life today… but I hated the way I talked to Zack.”

  His teeth ground together. “I truly hated it.”

  Lino leaned forward. “What exactly did you say to him?”

  Alex opened his mouth—then shut it. His gaze dropped. Whatever truth lived there, he chose to bury it.

  Even after everything, he chose to respect Zack's feelings.

  Leo stepped closer. “Can you explain how it happened ?”

  “He wanted to fight me,” Alex responded, small but steady. “I had to get to the others to help them. He was too strong... so I manipulated him, made him angry...”

  He lifted his head, eyes pleading. “I don't know why he went for Mira. But she’s safe. That’s what matters... I'm not completely blameless either.”

  Tonno and Lino stared, caught between confusion and awe at the words.

  Pinch’s lips parted, eyes wide with something like wonder.

  Noor’s smile was faint, touched with sadness.

  Leo studied Alex for a long moment, searching his face.

  “Strange thing… I've known Zack far longer, yet you’re the one asking mercy.” he murmured, a faint curve at the corner of his mouth.

  Slowly, he reached out, both hands enveloping Alex’s small one. His grip was steady. “I owe you more than I can ever repay, Alex.”

  Alex stammered, caught off guard. “Y-yes… my pleasure.”

  Leo’s grip on Alex’s hand loosened. “I am responsible for this as well.”

  Alex blinked, confused. “But… you weren’t even here until today.”

  Leo lowered his head. “Exactly.”

  He released Alex’s hands and turned toward Tonno, Lino, and Pinch. “Let’s meet tomorrow. I want to hear about everything. Especially Zack.”

  All three nodded, words caught somewhere in their throats.

  Then Leo’s eyes swept over them, softening. “I’m so happy to see you again. All of you.”

  None of them moved. None of them spoke.

  The weight of the words sank in, leaving a quiet awe in its place — a shiver of recognition that whatever had passed between them earlier had just shifted.

  Pinch scrambled forward, arms waving, voice high with excitement. “Leooo!”

  Leo’s bent to meet Pinch’s eyes. “You’ve grown, Pinch. At this rate, you’ll be towering over the lot of us before the year’s out.”

  Lino and Tonno drew near.

  Tonno’s steps faltered, his knees aching from the earlier scuffle. He stumbled slightly, and just as he started to fall, Leo’s hands caught him.

  “Be careful. You’re hurt too,” Leo said, steadying him. “Good to see you, big Tonno.”

  Tears pricked at Tonno’s eyes. He pressed his palm to his face, trying to hide it. “Shut up…” he mumbled, voice thick.

  Lino jabbed a playful punch to Leo’s chest. “What an entrance earlier, Leo!”

  Leo grinned, returning the gesture with a light but solid punch to Lino’s chest.

  “Ouch!” Lino grunted, staggering back a step.

  “Sorry,” Leo said, chuckling. “Had to make sure you're not a ghost. I missed you, Lino.”

  Lino paused for a moment, letting the sting linger, but his eyes sparkled and his shoulders relaxed—every small ache forgotten in the warmth of seeing this kid again, finally home.

  “He is so different from both Zack and Mira." Alex thought, looking at the way the gang behaves around this kid. "So polite and warm… for someone so ruthless when he needs to be.”

  "What brought you back? Couldn't live without my jokes after all?" Lino asked, arms crossed, chin tilted up with his usual bravado.

  Leo lowered his gaze.

  "My grandfather passed away."

  He drew a slow breath, shoulders stiffening just a fraction — a motion almost too small to notice, yet echoing a history of farewells he had long grown used to.

  The words hung there.

  The boys stilled. Pinch’s mouth fell open, Tonno shifted uneasily, and for once even Lino’s grin slipped.

  "Sorry. You're... not catching a rest." Lino muttered, his arms dropping to his sides.

  "It's alright. He was so old already when he took me in." Leo drew in a slow breath, let it out through his nose. "A good man. I'm just glad I was there for him in his last days."

  Alex murmured, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Just then, Dante, running circles around the clinic earlier, came from the distance. He noticed the good atmosphere. “See, guys? Told ya she’s a tough one!”

  Lino approached Dante with a grin. “Well, you’re not so bad, after all.”

  Dante laughed. “I liked the way you moved—always popping up where we needed you most.”

  Lino puffed out his chest. “I suppose you could take a lesson or two from me.”

  Dante raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m older, and I like to think I’m cleverer.”

  Lino’s grin didn’t falter. “The outcome says otherwise. I had more… moments that mattered.”

  Dante smirked. “Ah… but you spent the latter half of the fight on the ground, waiting for your friend over there to make an appearance.” He gave a subtle thumb in Leo’s direction, though his gaze never left Lino.

  Lino’s pride wavered for a heartbeat, then he laughed softly. “Touché.”

  Dante nodded. “Well, I’m Dante.”

  Lino extended a hand. “Lino. You’ll see, I always find the right moment.”

  Tonno glanced nervously at Noor. "Noor is your... name?"

  "Yes."

  “I'm... Tonno." he straightened. "If... those kids come back, we will be there for you again, Noor.”

  Noor tilted her head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile curling at her lips. “It’s reassuring to know you’ll be there.”

  “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Tonno.” She added.

  Tonno’s cheeks turned crimson.

  Alex felt the warmth of it all—the laughter, the care.

  He had new friends. New allies.

  Then—

  He saw it.

  Leo’s gaze snapped to—

  Dante.

  Recognition flickered in his eyes.

  Alex caught the fleeting shadow in the boy’s gaze—the sudden, sharp flicker of unease that vanished as swiftly as it had come. "Are you... alright?" Alex ventured cautiously, stepping beside him.

  "Yes. My mind wandered for a moment." Leo said, eyes still on Dante who is still giggling with Lino.

  Dante finally rang out, sharp and insistent. "Hey, buddy! It’s getting late."

  "Yes, Dante. Let's go." Alex replied.

  The dusk had thickened into night.

  "Can you look after Mira for me?" Alex asked, concern threading his tone.

  Lino, ever quick to jest, stepped forward with a smirk. "Learn your place, now! We are her crew."

  Tonno chuckled, adding with mock gravity, "We’ve got her safe. And we’ll walk Noor too."

  Noor offered a graceful wave; Alex returned it, then he and Dante melted into the gathering dark.

  "Throw more punches next time. Enough of the hit-and-run, Lino." Tonno chided.

  "Brains, meathead. I'm about the brains." Lino retorted, laughter bubbling between them.

  Pinch’s mirth filled the space, a balm to the lingering tension.

  Noor stepped closer to Leo, her fingers brushing the edge of her violin case as if seeking small comfort.

  “My condolences for your loss,” she said softly, voice steady but with the faintest catch.

  Leo inclined his head, eyes meeting hers. “I appreciate it.”

  She hesitated for a heartbeat, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Do you remember me?”

  Leo’s gaze flickered briefly to her hands, then back to her eyes. “Yes…,” he said, voice calm, polite. “I came to see you. That’s how I found you all there.”

  Her lips quirked, almost imperceptibly.

  “I got here last night,” he continued, voice low. “Sought the gang’s hideout this morning—found it empty. Thought the guys maybe overslept. So I came to the fountain, hoping to hear you play.”

  The kindness in his gaze dimmed, touched by regret. "Forgive me for not returning sooner after we first met. Life... intervened. I left the city."

  Noor lifted her chin, letting her eyes meet his. “Do not apologize,” she said, voice calm, measured, each word deliberate. “I know little of you, yet I had the distinct sense that some matter held you away.”

  “I remain by the same fountain. When the rain falls, I play at the corner—the one you showed me.”

  Her gaze lingered half a beat longer than before, gauging him with quiet intent. “I even composed a melody about you.”

  Leo’s smile deepened. “I’ll come by. I’d really like to hear it.”

  Then his gaze drifted toward the dimming street where Dante and Alex had disappeared.

  Noor, close at his side, noted it in a fleeting glance—an imperceptible pause, the barest tightening of his shoulders.

  She inclined her head slightly, silent, acknowledging that something occupied his mind.

  "That boy..." he thought,

  3 years ago - Year 1907

  Eleven years old Leo’s brow furrowed. “Another child… was there?”

  The man shifted under his threadbare blanket, voice low and hesitant. “Aye… I saw a boy… tryin’ to force the poor little girl somewhere, or keep her... I don't know... I survived, tucked under me blankets… The shootout… it was… fierce.”

  Leo pressed on. “What did he look like?”

  The man squinted, thinking. “’Bout your age… dark-skinned, or tanned… freckles… wore a cap. That’s all I can recall… It’s been… some days now.”

  Few weeks later,

  Leo slid near the bar, tray in hand. The hall smelled of sweat and smoke.

  A boy. Eleven. Slightly dark skinned. Freckles. Cap low.

  —Dante

  "It could be just someone who looks like the one". Leo thought.

  Dante moved to the counter. Slipped a note to the man behind it.

  Clean. Leo almost missed it. His eyes narrowed at the boy leaving.

  Minutes later — he entered.

  Tall. Fedora low over sharp eyes. All in black. Blonde stubble, medium-length hair tucked neat. Glasses catching the dim light. A cold gaze that cut through the haze of the hall.

  —Dominick.

  Leo’s chest tightened. Fury simmered beneath control. He picked a spot. Observed.

  The man behind the counter handed him a folded note.

  The same one.

  "He works for the mob,"

  "For the Undertaker."

  "Dominick Marviano."

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