Back in town, at the tavern, the two were seated on chairs beside a table.
"We need beer here," Stephane said.
Soon, the servant came with two glasses of beer. Meanwhile, they drank and drank.
Suddenly, Joel touched his stomach, and Stephane noticed it immediately.
Food is needed for a child to grow well.
So he raised his hand to attract attention. The servant came with a warm smile, as usual.
"Food for two people. Him and me."
She nodded. After a few minutes, the aroma of the food filled the table. For Stephane, it was normal food. For Joel, however, it was his first time.
He took a spoon and smiled happily.
"Madam, madam, this is the first time I have eaten food so good."
The servant's heart warmed, and she replied, "Of course. Finish it, and I will give you more."
"Yes, madam!"
Then he ate quickly, enjoying his delicious meal. Plate after plate disappeared.
At that moment, the tavern owner whispered to the servant.
"It's time for the event."
They looked at each other and smiled. Then the servant shouted,
"Free meals will be given to the winners. Whoever eats the most will win. First place pays nothing and gets a free day. Second to fifth place receive a fifty percent reduction on what they consumed."
Soon, everyone in the tavern joined the competition. Eventually, Joel won the event, while Stephane placed fiftieth.
That night, Stephane rented two rooms. One for himself and one for Joel.
In Joel's room, he lay on the bed. Strange sounds echoed in his mind in a low pitch.
Let me see. Open it. I want to see what you saw.
His eyes burned slightly. He scratched them once and soon fell asleep.
At the same time, in Stephane's room, he felt uneasy.
Therefore, he left his room. On the stairs, the owner met his gaze and asked suspiciously,
"Where are you going at night, in a motel?"
Stephane replied cheerfully, "I'm going to meet a friend."
He went downstairs, his expression turning serious.
He moved swiftly through the streets, bending through numerous corners, before entering a hidden place beside an old locked building. He looked left and right, removed a key from his pocket, and opened the door.
Inside sat a woman. Beautiful, with a shapely body. She smoked calmly, dressed in leather, wearing short black gloves. A small scar lay beside her left eye.
She sat on a chair, her hands resting on the table. Several tickets lay nearby, beside a knife.
As soon as she saw him, she asked,
"What's the password?"
A light breeze passed through Stephane's hair.
"23456."
She smiled, took a ticket, and whispered a code. A hidden underground entrance appeared.
"Enter. And where is the money you stole last time?"
Stephane was about to flee, but a terrifying pressure suddenly filled the room. The surroundings darkened, even though she had not moved.
She stood up slowly, her eyes gleaming. She sat on the table, picked up the knife, and licked it.
"If you don't want to die, I advise you to give it now."
Stephane turned back slowly, wearing a confident smile.
"Of course, I have it."
She frowned, confused.
Did he hit a jackpot recently?
"Alright. Give it to me."
He removed the money from his bag and handed it over. She smiled slightly in satisfaction.
"And where is your friend?"
Silence followed.
She sat back down.
"So he is dead. Then who will pay his debt?"
Before she could react, Stephane had already disappeared.
Later, he entered a place meant only for thieves. A crowd filled the room.
I need to clear all my debts today.