29. Chapter 29

Ihold Zil's hand as we wander down the road in the space station. There has to be a place that's hiring.

We've been through the stalls, but no one seems to be looking for someone to help with things.

Now... I'm not sure whether this is a good idea.

This bar is dim with torch lights on the wall. The old-fashioned burning torches that are hung up there. There are beings that are probably drunk who are screaming and shouting with their crowd.

Zil is at another table, howling as he destroys the male who arm-wrestles him. That one is smaller than him by quite some, looking like he lost some drinking game and thus was made to challenge Zil.

That poor male groans and rubs his wrist, dropping a coin on the table, which Zil scoops up at once.

I let out a breath. If only we could find a place where we can actually work instead of this.

Zil hisses so hard that... Somehow, he manages to make beings arm wrestle him. If he wins, he'll get a coin, if they win, he'll give them three.

Somehow, the first ones didn't even ask whether Zil had the coins to pay in the first place. At least his muscular arms are useful. That's not what I expected, but I suppose that's working. Zil has a nice pile of coins now. Not sure how long that can last us. We can head back to the space station I stayed on, but then the uzains won't be able to find him. But if we stay here, we have to figure out a way to support ourselves.

Alcohol lingers in the air, and I almost choke. I hate that. It feels like I'm around a bomb that may explode at random times.

Zil is up to wrestling another strong one. I don't mind if he loses and will lose a few coins. I don't want him to get injured. Who knows whether he will run into some super-strong species? The universe is so vast that it is very possible.

The crowd cheers when Zil slams that guy's hand to the table. The table shakes as if it is going to break.

I shudder at that. I'm happy for him but at the same time...

"Next one!" Zil stands and growls, showing off his strong body.

"What're you doing?"

Oh... It is Nelutho... I thought they had left after I turned out to not need his help.

Zil groans. "Good, sit and we'll figure it out."

The crowd cheers again, so much so that I want to cover my ears. They think that Zil is a performer or something, and maybe they are waiting to see someone beat him. I hate how... It feels like Zil is a circus animal, but I have no way of helping him.

Behind Nelutho, Nataly and Zennolair are also there. Maybe Nelutho's crew picked this bar to spend the evening in. What are the odds...?

Nelutho sits. "If I beat you, stop doing this stupid thing."

Zil huffs. "Shut up." He sets up his arm, waiting for Nelutho to join in.

"Fine." Nelutho is also a strong one. More importantly, Zil has been fighting for a long time. He has to be tired, right?

Nelutho grabs Zil's arm. The match starts at a standstill at once.

Their arms are shaking, but no one is coming out on top.

Nelutho grunts. "Not bad."

Zil hisses at him. "You aren't that bad either."

It feels like the whole bar takes and holds its breath. It is so quiet that it feels like a fly could interrupt everything.

My heart races, hoping...

I don't even know what I'm hoping for. Maybe for Zil to be safe and don't get hurt.

Nelutho growls and makes a move, but Zil stops him right before he gets slapped. Nelutho smirks. "Don't fight me."

They struggle some more when Nelutho is halfway through winning. My heart pounds so hard that it can jump out of my chest. I clench a fist, but I can't stop myself from shaking. I'm not even the one in the arm wrestling match.

Zil grunts when Nelutho pins his hand to the table. "Fuck..."

The crowd yells and a few toast with each other. Maybe some are already betting on who will win this round.

Zil sits back in the chair, letting out a breath. He is sweaty. Those bead-sized sweats glisten under the lights of the torches. I want to wipe it off for him, but... Do I go to him? Would he rather I leave him alone for a bit?

Nelutho stands. "Come with me."

Zil shakes his head. "No, I'm fine."

Nelutho goes closer to Zil, saying something to him. There's some distance between them and me, and when they seem to lower their voice, I can't make out anything.

Zil sighs and takes a step back, gesturing to me. Nelutho comes over to me. "Hazel, stay with us?"

Oh...

He continues, "He asks you."

Hm... Maybe he means Zil is going to follow my decision.

Zil also comes, and the rest of Nelutho's crew. Nataly says, "I don't know what happened, and I don't think we should talk about that here, but if you want to, you can come to our spaceship. We can have late-night snacks together and talk about things."

I frown. "I..."

Looks like the rest of the bar is off to minding their own business yet again. Maybe they think that the party of arm wrestling is over and nothing interesting is left.

I nod. "Sure, thank you for the invite."

Zil lifts his brows at me, doesn't seem convinced, or even wants to come with me. I hold his hand, squeezing him. He should know better.

He lets out a soft sigh, probably rolling his eyes at how I trust Nelutho's crew this easily. That crew heads to the door as they chat with one another. I wonder why they are that inclined to help us.

Hopefully, nothing is dangerous with them.

Given Zil and my situation, I doubt it can be worse.