Chapter 28: Man in the Mirror
Back at the orphanage, the two older hunters spent most of the morning with the kids, making sure everything was in order. Leaving Kati-Bird in charge, they knew the place would be just fine while they were gone.
Standing on the porch, Levi hoisted his bag onto his shoulder and adjusted his hat. His poncho still looked good as new, and his knife belt shined, freshly cleaned and greased—Nathan and a few of the boys took it upon themselves to care for it.
With his boots and his black jeans fitted right, he figured if someone saw him now—scars aside—they might not even recognize him from the half-dead wreck that first got hauled into town.
"Ready?"
Edmond stepped out, the screen door slamming shut behind him.
"I'm ready."
Levi looked at him different now. The man still carried that same quiet weight, still looked like a fella who never quite learned how to smile. But now, even if Levi didn't agree with everything, he understood.
"Levi! Levi! We was wonderin'!"
A chubby kid, maybe ten, came skidding up, chestnut curls bouncing. Johnny—one of Nathan's crew.
"Would ya mind takin' this with ya?"
He held up a small glass bottle with a cork stopper, empty and waiting.
"Legend says the water from Clearwater's like crystal. Could ya bring some back?"
Levi knew of the kid's little garden behind the house. The poor thing sat mostly in the shade—not that Johnny seemed to notice.
"Don't get mad if I drink it. Might run out before we make it back."
The boy handed over the bottle while Levi tried to explain the basics of needing sunlight for plants. Before the lesson could stick, Rufus came barreling around from behind the barn, a kid slung over each shoulder.
"Fee fi fo fum! How dare ya varmints steal me gold?! ARGH!"
"Rufus!"
Edmond's voice cut through the racket, signaling him to cut it short.
A chorus of complaints followed as the kids realized their fun was over—the bags were packed, and it was time to leave.
"Bring her back alive!"
"Be safe!"
"Whoop her butt!"
Levi noticed the two men took their time with the goodbyes, stretching out every last moment. It almost tested his patience, but he figured it couldn't be helped.
As they finally set off, silence settled between them for a stretch.
"Didn't realize you two were so sensitive—ouch!"
A smack upside the head, one from each of 'em.
Levi rubbed the back of his skull, ready to return the favor—until Rufus spoke, and his tone stopped him cold.
"Leavin' family should never be easy, kid—specially when ya don't know if you're comin' back."
Lighting a smoke, Rufus exhaled slow, the trail of it drifting behind them as they made their way toward town.
But as the two men walked, their faces set with a quiet weight, Levi's expression was different. Cold.
'Dyin' ain't an option. Least not yet.'
The rest of the walk passed quick—silent, but quick. The murmur of the city crept into their thoughts before they even saw the first rooftops.
Orphan's Bend emptied straight into Market Square, so Levi tugged his hat low well before they got in sight.
Didn't matter though. The second they stepped foot in the square, someone spotted them.
And of all the damn people—
It was Maggie.
She stood just ahead, eyes locked on them like they were ghosts. She blinked once, then stormed toward them, a box tucked under one arm.
"Merde..."
Levi didn't speak French, but he understood enough to know that wasn't a compliment.
She scanned the crowd as she approached, jerking her head toward a nearby alley.
"Shit!"
That wasn't Rufus.
That was Edmond.
Levi cut him a glance. Edmond cussing?
Rufus acting the part made sense—he was already looking like a man headed for the gallows. But Edmond?
"What's the big deal? She gonna spank us? Pretty sure I can do whatever the hell I want."
"Sure, kid."
Rufus shook his head and dragged his feet forward, looking about two shades paler.
"Scary thing about Maggie—"
Edmond stared forward like a dead man walking.
"When she gets mad, prices go up."
He let out a slow sigh, then followed like a man marching to meet the hangman.
Levi frowned. He felt it now—that creeping, prickling feeling of cold sweat.
He wasn't scared of getting hurt, or even death.
But money?
Money had its own set of fears.
Most times worse than death.
Rubbing his blacksteel hand, Levi followed after, his steps a little shorter than usual.
They slipped into the alley behind Maggie, keeping their distance, not drawing eyes. As they rounded a set of buildings, she suddenly turned on them, voice low but sharp.
"What ze hell are you doing? An' do not lie to me!"
Rufus stepped forward, hands up, hat off, smiling like a man trying to sweet-talk his way out of a hanging.
"Maggie, see, it's all a misunderstanin'—"
"Not from you, you silver-tongued cyclops!"
She jabbed a finger straight into Edmond's chest.
"From you. Now say it. Lie to me. Tell me you are not goin' on a bounty."
Edmond's jaw tightened. He didn't say a word.
Didn't need to.
His shoulders slumped, and he looked about as sheepish as a man his size could look.
"He's just showing us where one is, Maggie. He's not fighting. I swear."
"Oh! So zis is nothing! Traipsing through ze desert, just ze same as resting! Bon, bon! How foolish of me!"
"Alright, alright, we get you're pissed, but we need the coin, Mags. Not just for you—but to keep them kids fed. This is how we earn it, like or not."
"Bullshit! Why does he 'ave to go? Huh? Make zat make sense!"
"This is gettin' old."
Levi's voice cut in from the back.
Maggie's eyes snapped to him.
"You 'ave something to say in your defense?"
"No."
Levi stepped up beside Edmond, just in front of him. His eyes locked with hers.
"You need somethin'?"
Silence.
The two men behind him started to think of apologies, scrambling to say something to patch things over.
But Maggie spoke first.
"So zat is how it is?"
Levi met her cold stare without blinking, his response coming quick.
"You helped me. I owe you for that—not just the money. But that don't mean I answer to you. So if you need somethin', I'm more than happy to help. Otherwise, we best get on our way."
She didn't answer right away. So he took that as his cue, giving her a small nod before stepping past.
Edmond and Rufus exchanged an awkward glance before following, both hesitant to say anything.
"Hold it."
'This woman...'
Levi rolled his eyes internally but turned back with an easy grin.
"I 'ave a reason to talk to you, in fact—"
She raised the small tin box she'd been carrying. It was thin, about the length of a hand.
"I was bringing zis to you, but, here we are."
A slow flush crept up Levi's neck. He suddenly felt a little foolish for trying to brush her off.
Taking the tin, he popped it open. Inside was a squeezable tube, the kind women used for makeup.
"What's it for?"
"Your face."
Rufus snorted.
Levi's expression darkened.
"If you hadn't noticed, I don't wear this shit."
Snapping the tin shut, he held it back out to her, his face heating.
"You will wear zis, I am sure."
Maggie's voice had thankfully lost its edge, slipping back into that playful lilt—soothing, even, to the two bounty hunters who had been sweating over their finances just moments ago.
She plucked the box from Levi's hands, popping it open and holding the tube aloft like a proud mother.
"I made zis just for you. I 'ave been working on a new type of material. So far, I 'aven't 'ad much success making it solid, but when I thought of your face—"
She gestured grandly, as if the mere mention of it was enough to justify a scientific breakthrough.
"Something had to be done!"
Levi's ears burned. He wasn't sure if he should be offended, but out of respect for her help, he kept his mouth shut. She'd get to the point eventually.
"So, I mixed it with some clays, and voilà! Ze perfect disguise! But one more thing before you use it."
"I ain't gonna—"
Before he could finish, she shoved her thumb against his face, closing one eye as she studied him like a painter sizing up a canvas.
"Thought so."
With a satisfied nod, she reached into one of her pouches. The sound of clinking glass followed as she fished out a small vial.
"Ah-ha!"
She opened it, tapping a bit of fine tan powder into her palm before shoving the vial into Levi's hand.
"Hold zis."
Levi scowled but took it, watching as her index finger gave a soft click. A small tool extended from it—some kind of miniature spoon. She scooped up a pinch of the powder, added it to the makeup, then stuck the tool inside. A faint whirring sound filled the alley as the concoction spun and blended.
Levi sighed.
"Look, I can see you put a lot of effort into this. But you got the wrong idea—"
"Hush now. You are jumping to conclusions. Don't tell me you don't trust me?"
Levi pressed his lips into a thin line. Well, hell. Now he had to see it through.
"Just hurry up."
Smiling, she retracted the tool and wiped a bit of the mixture onto his face.
"Perfect."
She was close—too close. Leaned in like that, rubbing his face with her collar slightly open...
Was that—?
'Nope. Nope. Not lookin'.'
"If you turn much redder, I'll 'ave to change ze color again."
That voice was dripping with tease.
Levi clenched his jaw, eyes locked firmly on a spot over her shoulder.
"You finished yet?"
Like popped third wheels, Edmond and Rufus stayed quiet, though their grins said plenty.
"Almost... zere!"
To Levi's relief, Maggie took a final step back. With a click, a small mirror flipped out from her thumb as she held it up.
"Magnifique!"
Frowning, Levi leaned in to get a better look, but the second he saw his reflection, something caught in his throat.
"What is this?"
His voice was tight, almost accusing.
"What'd you do to me?"
As his hand shot up toward his face, Maggie slapped it away.
"Do not touch yet! It still needs to dry. I made you a disguise. This make-up will withstand most things— even a fight or two. And you only 'ave to reapply every few days."
His face.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen it like this. Skin smooth, no jagged scars cutting across it.
Maggie beamed, clearly pleased with her work. With a satisfied click, she shut the mirror and clapped him on the shoulder.
"I will tell you ze price when you return—no need to sour your mood now, no?"
Then, turning to Edmond and Rufus, her playful tone vanished.
"Keep 'im safe, otherwise..."
No need to finish. The two men nodded, taking the message loud and clear.
And just like that, she left.
Simple for her. But Levi stood there, still reeling, still trying to catch up to what just happened.
Rufus whistled low.
"Well, kid, I don't think anyone's gonna recognize ya now. Hell, I'm havin' trouble."
Chuckling, he tipped his hat to Maggie and headed back toward the main street.
"Let's go, kid."
Edmond flicked the brim of Levi's hat as he passed.
"We got work."
Levi lingered a moment longer, stepping up to a nearby window.
One last look.
The scars were still there—he could feel them, even if he couldn't see them. But for now, they were hidden.
And for the first time in a long time, he could smile without seeing the past staring back at him.
He turned, jogging after the others.
"Didn't know I was such a handsome devil. What? Oh c'mon, don't be jealous."