Chapter 383 (1/2)
When the knock sounded on her door, Thea looked up. “I’m coming.”
Thea swiftly dressed herself, petted Chrysanthemum seven times for good luck, then walked out of her room into the hallway. With her typical, lumbering gate, Chrysanthemum followed. Thea wasn’t sure if she could have gone through with this without her support.
Not that she was ever really apart from her, due to their bond, but still…
Mrs. Hamilton stood there with Donny, a small smile on her face as she looked at Thea. “Are you prepared? Time is of the essence, but the Ghosthound doesn’t mind if you delay somewhat to make up your mind. You only have one chance at this.”
But Thea shook her head. “No, I’m ready.”
“Would you like my advice?” Mrs. Hamilton asked, her smile widening a fraction.
Inwardly, Thea wondered whether she would be like this woman when she grew up. Although their interactions had been few, everyone talked about the Grey Spider of Donnyton, and how she was the force behind the scenes that animated this place. She was both manpower and mastermind, a woman who seemed to have an endless supply of time, attention, and energy to deal with Donnyton’s problems.
She was cool and calm, and a woman that Randidly trusted implicitly. Thea had never seen her fight, but when she looked at this woman, her instincts were completely silent, as if the space in front of her was occupied by driftwood, rather than woman. And yet, here and now, as they stood, waiting for her to make her decision…
Perhaps it was just artifice, but… there was such kindness in her voice as she inquired whether Thea wanted her advice.
She did, she truly did, but… what if her advice was couched in such a way to serve Donnyton, rather than Thea? Thea wasn’t an idiot, she understood that Randidly wanted to observe the process so he could discern… something. Something important, that everyone was keeping very hush hush about.
Yet…
Trying to keep her shoulders from sagging, Thea said, “Yes, of course. Any advice you can give is appreciated.”
Mrs. Hamilton’s smile widened, and she walked towards Thea and fell to her knees, and pulled Thea into her embrace. Thea froze at first, shocked by the sudden display of affection, but then softened, as the genuine warmth from the gesture melted away her inhibitions. She buried her head into Mrs. Hamilton’s shoulder.
Mrs. Hamilton was probably a foot taller than Thea standing, but kneeling, she was several inches shorter. Thea was wrapped in armor, while Mrs. Hamilton wore a long black dress. Between them, there was probably 20 to 25 years age difference, although the System would probably make that much more difficult to discern in the future…
They probably looked almost silly, they in their strange embrace, but Thea didn’t care. She had struggled all week, beaten bloody in training by almost everyone, driven to her limits, shown the true strength of Donnyton, and god damnit, being strong for so long fucking sucked. Plus now, everyone was waiting on her decision on what to do with her one use item…
It was all too much. So Thea buried her face deeper into Mrs. Hamilton’s shoulder, while the other woman stroked her hair. Even if this was just to manipulate her… Thea knew she needed this. This small moment of weakness, of kindness from a stranger.
“Oh, child.” Mrs. Hamilton whispered, the smile still in her voice, although Thea couldn’t see it. “My only advice… is that you already know the answer. The women and the young have for generations suppressed our guts to listen to others telling us what to do… But now you have the power to change that. Seize that power and make it yours.”
Mrs Hamilton pulled back and smiled at Thea, who could only blink.
Then she straightened and walked away, Donny following after her as if nothing happened. Then, several seconds later, Thea staggered after them, her head swinging, as Chrysanthemum brought up the rear.
Just… trust her instincts…? Seize the power…?
What the fuck did that mean….?