Chapter 169 Overheard Conversations
Daniel's face briefly showed his disappointment at Aleshia's uncertain response, but he quickly masked his emotions and continued talking to the children beside him.
As Aleshia approached the group, she overheard Daniel sharing stories about his adventures while the others recounted their activities. She learned that the kids had been doing menial tasks in the slum quarters in exchange for coins and toys to give to other children. Meanwhile, Daniel described the monsters he had hunted that day. As she drew closer, she noticed that everyone in the group had mud, dirt, and grime on themselves.
The three children led Daniel into the house as they chatted about the other slum residents who didn't live in the camp. They mentioned how kind those people had been to them and how they had tried to repay that kindness. However, the residents insisted, "We're all in the same place, so we should be helping each other."
Aleshia could tell that these children weren't bad at all. From overhearing their conversations, she began to believe that the slums were home to kind people.
After speaking with the three children beside him, Daniel turned towards the last child, who was trying to hide and stay out of sight but still wanted to be by his side.
Calmly, with the same kindness in his voice that he had used while talking with the other children, he asked, "So, how have you been while I was away? Is Ren still upset with you for cutting your hair? It's okay; she knows you did it for all of us, so don't cry." He spoke soothingly, trying to coax the girl out of her gloom.
When Daniel mentioned a child who had cut their hair, Aleshia vaguely remembered hearing about it before, but she couldn't recall who it was. She concentrated intensely, scrunching her face as she tried to remember the details.
Noticing Aleshia's struggle, Lucia guessed what was on her mind. "Hmm, are you trying to remember who got their hair cut recently?" When Aleshia didn't respond, still concentrating, Lucia continued, "Remember when we first arrived at the camp? Ren brought us there to help heal everyone, and she was so shocked that she yelled at one of the kids."
With Lucia's hint, Aleshia recalled the information that had been lingering in the back of her mind. "I remember now!" she exclaimed. "It was when we followed Ren to her camp, and she was upset with a child."