Ansel stopped abruptly in front of the unfamiliar facade of Caraluzzi Newton Market. The bustling sounds of the city seemed to fade into the background as a wave of confusion washed over him.
He couldn't quite understand why he had come here today. It wasn't a place he frequented often to visit, yet something had drawn him in. A restless urge to escape the turmoil inside his mind. He needed to calm his emotions. He must find some remembrance of peace amidst the chaos that had been building within him.
Taking a deep breath, Ansel walked inside. He passed the glass doors. The cool air of the market was a stark contrast to the warmth outside.
The familiar vibe of fresh produce and baked goods momentarily grounded him. He decided to buy some meat for Rhea. He hoped the simple act of preparing a meal might soothe his troubled thoughts.
As he wandered through the aisles, his eyes caught a familiar figure near the entrance. At first, he wasn't sure if it was really him, Heka.
The sight was so unexpected that his heart skipped a beat. He stood frozen for a moment, staring from the doorway. He tried to convince himself that it was just a trick of the light or his imagination playing games with him.
But the feeling was too strong to ignore. Ansel's mind raced back to the last time he had seen Heka. A confrontation that had ended with a harsh blow from Ansel's fist. Despite everything, he felt no regret for what he had done.
Yet, a heavy burden of guilt and pity lingered in his chest. It gnawed at him silently. Perhaps that was a reason while he was seeing Heka. As if his subconscious was forcing him to confront the past.
Determined to find out if it was truly Heka, Ansel began to search the market systematically. He knew how difficult it could be to find someone in such a crowded place. The market was alive with the chatter of shoppers, the clatter of carts, and the hum of activity. It made his task even more challenging.
He moved down the aisles carefully. He scanned every corner with growing anticipation. His heart pounded louder with each step, especially as he approached the fruit court. A place where he just saw Heka.
Then, just behind the vibrant display of apples and oranges, he spotted a figure. Without hesitation, Ansel quickened his pace, his hand reaching out instinctively. He called softly, hope and uncertainty mingling in his voice. "Heka..."
The person turned around slowly, and Ansel's heart sank. It wasn't Heka.
Embarrassment flushed his cheeks as he quickly withdrew his hand and muttered an apology. His voice was barely audible over the market noise. "Pardon me, I recognize the wrong person ..."
Feeling the weight of his mistake, Ansel turned away and walked off. His step was heavy with disappointment. The person he had seen from the door was not Heka after all. The fleeting hope that had sparked within him was now replaced by a quiet ache.
As he continued his shopping, Ansel's thoughts drifted back to that last encounter with Heka.
The anger, the pain, and the unresolved emotions tangled inside him like a storm. Yet, beneath it all, there was a fragile thread of compassion. A wish that things could have been different.
Perhaps, he thought, this unexpected visit to the market was more than just a coincidence.
Perhaps it was a sign that he needed to face his feelings, to find a way to make peace with the past and with himself.
Ansel shook his head slightly. He tried to push away the swirling thoughts that threatened to consume him. It was better if he didn't dwell on those memories or the tangled emotions they stirred.
He had a more pressing priority, Rhea. She depended on him, and that responsibility grounded him more than anything else.
Since this was his first time at Caraluzzi Newtown Market, Ansel found himself disoriented amid the sprawling aisles and unfamiliar layout. The market was larger and busier than he had anticipated. Thus, he wandered around to find the meat court.
He moved deliberately, tracing each hall one by one. He scanned the signs overhead and the bustling crowds below.
Nearly half an hour passed before he finally spotted the familiar red and white signage marking the meat court. Relief washed over him as he stepped into the cooler air of the meat court.
Without much thought, he reached for a few kilos of lamb, grabbing the cuts he thought would be best for Rhea's meal. He didn't bother to check the weight or price. His mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the weight of his own thoughts.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the ambient noise of the market. It was a voice he knew well, clear and unmistakable. It called out a name that made his heart skip a beat: "Heka!!!"
Ansel turned sharply, his eyes locking onto the figure ahead. It was indeed Heka. The realization hit him like a jolt. This confirmed that the person he had seen earlier from the door was truly Heka. The white shirt, the posture, the familiar presence. It all matched perfectly.
But Heka was not alone. He was accompanied by someone else, engaged in conversation, and unaware of Ansel's presence. Ansel's instincts told him to keep his distance. This was not the moment to approach. Not when the dynamics were uncertain and the past between them was complicated.
Thus, Ansel watched from afar. His gaze was fixed on Heka.
And then, for a few moments, their eyes met briefly. Ansel offered a tentative smile. A silent gesture of acknowledgment and perhaps a fragile hope for reconciliation.
Yet, the response was unexpected. Heka's eyes flickered with recognition. Almost immediately, he looked away. He turned his attention back to his companion as if Ansel were invisible.
The cold dismissal stung more than Ansel had anticipated. It was a reminder of the distance that had grown between them. The wall was built by past actions and unspoken regrets. Still, Ansel held onto that brief moment of connection, however fleeting it was.
With a quiet sigh, Ansel turned back to his task, the lamb still in his hands. The market buzzed around him. But inside, a storm of emotions churned. He knew that seeing Heka again was no coincidence. It was a sign that some things from the past were not yet settled.
Ansel's heart pounded as he caught sight of Heka walking briskly ahead, his posture tense and his expression clouded with anger. Ansel knew without a doubt that Heka was mad at him.
The weight of their last encounter, the unresolved tension, and the silence that had stretched between them all confirmed it. But Ansel couldn't let things end like this. He had to try to make things right, or at least clear the delusion.
Without hesitation, Ansel quickened his pace, closing the distance between them. He called out, his voice steady but filled with urgency.
"Heka..."
Heka paused, just for a moment. As if he considered whether to recognise him or keep walking. That brief hesitation gave Ansel hope.
"Heka, wait." Ansel pleaded. His voice was softening.
He stepped directly in front of Heka. He blocked his path. The market noise seemed to fade as Ansel looked into Heka's eyes, searching for any sign of forgiveness.
He said earnestly. His words hung in the air between them. "Heka... are you mad at me? I'm so sorry."
Nevertheless, Heka's expression remained cold and unyielding. Without a word, he pushed past Ansel and continued walking forward, clearly unwilling to engage.
Ansel could see the anger etched deeply on Heka's face. The kind of anger that didn't just fade with an apology. It was clear Heka didn't want to see him, didn't want to hear him.
Just as Ansel was about to call out again, a sudden, unexpected sound caught his attention. A soft but distinct trickle of sand began to fall from above, dusting the floor around them. Ansel's eyes darted upward in alarm.
He wondered aloud, his voice tinged with confusion and growing concern. "Is there an earthquake?"
Then, a harsh, metallic clang echoed from the ceiling above. It was like someone was striking the building with a heavy instrument. The sound was irregular but forceful, sending vibrations through the air.
Panic surged through Ansel's veins as a sharp, acrid smell filled the air. The unmistakable scent of Fayfiend, a dangerous madness being known for its destructive power. His instincts screamed at him to act fast.
"Heka, get out of here quickly!!!" Ansel shouted, grabbing Heka's arm firmly.
However, Heka didn't care about the danger at all. His face was set in stubborn defiance as he continued walking forward. Ansel's heart raced with panic. Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed Heka's hand. He tried to pull him back to safety.
"Heka, wait!" Ansel urged, his grip firm but he was desperate.
Yet, Heka resisted, shaking off Ansel's hand with a sharp wave, his eyes cold and unyielding.
"Heka, it is dangerous. You have to get out of here. There's a fayfiend above. I know you are angry. At least you should be concerned with your safety." Ansel said. His voice was trembling slightly but filled with urgency.