WILL

I wasn’t sure if I heard it right.

It was the thirty-fifth an of the sixth mon of the turn when I was called to the kitchen for some ‘family business’.

“Will. We have great news for you!” My mom clapped as she sat across the table where we held meetings like this.

“What great news?” I asked.

Truthfully, I didn’t care what happened inside the house. As long as I can do my business, which is pacing around the house thinking about what to do in my new life and my problem, I can tolerate it. The bad news about being in a conference with my family was their intrusive curiosity.

A little while ago, I was lying on my bed reading an old book written in the language of the land. Unsurprisingly, I read every word and sentence with ease as if it was my mother tongue when suddenly, Hugh opened the door.

 Peering inside, he called out to me solemnly like he committed a sin.

Our ‘argument’, if it really was one, was still tormenting my father making him evasive of that matter. If he couldn’t attain once again his son’s approval, he might fail being a father.

“We’ll talk about something.” He told me.

Yay.

“What is it?” I sat up closing the book and settled it on top of the bed table.

“It involves your mother.”

I nodded and stood up. Hugh then tried to close the door but hesitated, thinking of something to say.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I should’ve kept it in.” I got ahead of him and apologized for the misunderstanding. I fetched the door and swung it open where he stood staring at me.

Did he get weirded out?

“C’mon. She’s waiting.”

Back at the family agenda meeting, Anna was beaming and was eager over something. She kept a smiling face, then she patted her tummy.

“You’ll be having a baby brother!”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The meeting went smoothly. Nothing surprising particularly happened. Except for the part that I didn’t know how she knew it was a boy.

The technology of this world was worse when Earth was still in the 18th century. Even simple mechanisms like a light bulb was non-existent. All were fueled by magic. If that was the case how did she know?

“Are there any Ultrasound machines in here?”

When she heard me utter an unfamiliar word (Sorry Anna), she raised her eyebrows and asked me.

“What?”

“Nothing. But, how did you know it was a boy?” I questioned.

“Intuition.”

“Intuition?” I drilled further.

“Intuition.” And she left it at that.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

A brother. I’m having one.

After the family agenda meeting, I came out of the house and ambled around it. Thinking of the recent news, I couldn’t help getting restless.

“I’ve never had one.” I whispered.

Back at my old life, I was the only child of the Watson’s. I grew up being the only child of theirs to abuse. It wasn’t particularly a fun experience (How would it be fun?) and I had a rough life struggling to live day by day, but I still managed.

That’s why I still didn’t trust my current parents wholly.  You never know whenever people change.

I looked at the house standing tall at the end of the fields. It wasn’t like the huts of my old country on Earth, it was a mansion compared to those. Not exactly the kind of house a farmer should have, well at least in the Philippines (my old country), but I was thankful he had this house.

It wasn’t that big but it can compete to those of the nobles’. It was colored tan with much darker brown outlining the edges of it. A couple of lamps stood wisely at the mansion’s entrances which were bright by night and dim at day. Models of well-trimmed bushes shaped into different specimens were planted just beside the lamps. A smart-looking man with a top hat and a cane, a cupid close to releasing his arrow and- Wait, is that a crying cow? You would think that a farmer in these parts would be incredibly poor and only has a hut to live in but it appears in here that farming is a respected job and that agriculture is highly acknowledged.

Anyways I need to teach him, that brother of mine, to be trustful and honest.

I established that thought. If I have no one to trust, then might as well teach one to be trustworthy, which is in this case, would be my brother.

A couple of experiences would do. Would he like some drills?

As I wandered around the house, I heard a call of help just within the woods. The woods were just behind the house and stretched to his both sides. Trees of the same kind acted like a barrier to protect it from the outside world. At its dead center, a path of cobblestone lay. Sometimes curving to whatever direction then straightens again at the center. The sky above it was different. It was like, a whole another dimension.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I hurried inside of it.

Oh boy, I sure am dead.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I arrived at the scene panting. My journey within the forest was unexpectedly a long one. My rescuing became a hike then it became a total disaster.

Under one tree, a boy lay sprawled on the floor. Bleeding from his nose, and battle-dew trickling down his face. He covered his chest like his life depended on it, which in the current situation, it did.

Not far from him were three boys stoning him. They threw him rocks and stones and sometimes, twigs that slept on the forest floor. It was a familiar setting of a usual scene called ‘bullying’.

I was sure if I joined in, I would regret it. Nothing good happens when you butt in and interfere such activities.

Like what ‘Error’ (the glitchy god) said, “Don't go *bzzt* playing all hero and the like.”

I was about to walk away and consider this trip wasted when a little rock hit my back. It didn’t hurt but it stung a little. I prayed to God (not Error) that I wasn’t caught eavesdropping and possibly interfering and I continued to walk, hoping it was just a stray stone that, well, longed for my attention?

Another stone hit my back. Now it did hurt and it was considerably bigger than the last one.

These kids.

I turned around and saw the three boys who were oddly familiar. Oh right, they were the bullies. The kid that was the tallest still stood in the middle. His ginger still planted on his head. I wish it’d be burned. Next to him, at his right, was the smart (?), nerdy, faded blue-haired kid who always looked messy. He appeared like he had an all-nighter. And the last one to his left was the unchanging rotund, plump boy.

 He still looks like a pig.

“Hehe. Well, if it isn’t the lil’ cripple who came to the rescue.” The tall kid talked.

“Remember the time you rudely spoke to us?”

“I don’t. And I wasn’t the one who talked to you. I mean, have we met before?” I quickly replied.

Please be dumb. Please be dumb.

“We’re not dumb.” The nerd interfered. “You’re the only kid who has white hair.”

Oh.

“I’m sure you’re daydreaming sir, what’s your name?”

The nerd was shocked. He clearly was stunned to hear someone wanting to have their name. What’s more, his play toy was the one who asked.

Their clique doesn’t know each other’s names?

“Don’t mind that. I had a great time. See ya’ll!” I tried to run like what I did last time we met but a twig struck my head.

“You won’t be running today cripple. Let’s see how long you last.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

“You saved me…” The bloody kid told me.

It was after the ‘event’ that the kid thanked me. I wasn’t sure why, but I sure did not became their punching bag to protect this boy.

I sat up after lying on the forest floor for quite a while now. I looked around to check if the trio was still there. They weren’t. I tried to get up but my legs failed me. As I inspected my body more closely, I saw my utterly sad condition. I had battle-dew running down my arms from the wounds. A bruise stayed on my leg even if I tried to rub it. (Pro tip! DO NOT).

“I didn’t save you. I got beaten up.” I replied to the boy.

“No. You did save me. You came and rescued me.” He insisted

“I. did. Not.” I retorted

“Yes you did.” He replied back

I got annoyed. I didn’t like how the boy sounded. His words sounded a lot like a rescued damsel-in-distress. I wasn’t a hero, I was nobody. I’d prefer it if I can just live my life peacefully. According to my book of life, a person should do everything on his own. I won’t get anywhere trying to find somebody to always help me. And there’s the trust factor.

As I remembered my ‘experience’, my mood started to dampen. I couldn’t do anything. I was at a disadvantage considering it was three versus one, but even a little magics would’ve helped. I could’ve risked my chances and stun them for a bit then run for it.

“I noticed you have white hair. It’s… odd.” The boy who I was talking now sat up. Blood still flowed down his face but at least his wounds were closing. His olive green hair was all over the place but he still looked presentable nonetheless. He also had a tattered green scarf hanging on his neck.

That looks cool.

Not far from where we were sitting, an eyeglasses laid on the forest floor. Cracks and little fissures were present in its glass yet it still held. He reached for it and put it on.

“So, what’s your name?” He said while arranging his glasses.

“… Will”

“Will huh? I’m Theo. 7 turns.” Theo offered his hand to Will.

“What would I do with that?”

“Shake hands?” His eyebrows arched up, confused.

Look, this world is something completely foreign to me. Their culture differed with mine and that includes their way of greeting. Like spitting on each other’s hands then dancing around like turkeys or something like that.

I took it and we shook hands. I looked at the other boy’s hand and it was bruised and painted with scrapes. I lifted my head and eyed Theo. This boy was peculiar. He didn’t seem to be the least bothered or angered with the trio. He was just, calm and collected.

“How old are you?” He suddenly asked.

“5 turns”

“Holy molly.” Theo swiftly replied. Standing up, he winced but he endured the pain and offered - once again - a hand to me.

“You need to be at the infirmary! Your parents are gonna be worried sick for you.” He said sounding concerned and worried.

I looked at the offered hand. Should I trust this guy? He seemed cool and kind but… what if he wasn’t? What if he wants to get his resentment out of me? What if…

“No thanks. I can help myself.” I refused.

“No. You need to get healed. Come on” Theo helped me up.

With that, the both of us went to the town and headed straight to the infirmary.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The infirmary was located at the middle of the town just past the ‘bakery. The building was big compared to the other structures that stood in the town. Maybe because there were always injured townsmen caused by magics or the workers miscalculated its size, I didn’t know.

Theo was beside and he led me inside while holding my hand - afraid that I might run away.

At the entrance, a counter and a lady wearing a blouse - with her hair tied up - welcomed whoever decided to get fixed up. When you go to the left, you’ll meet a wall. When you go to the right, you’ll be in the ‘Healing Room.’ This room was filled with nothing but beds, side tables, windows with curtains and paintings of relaxing pictures. One was a portrait of a woman picking berries while another smiled shyly at whoever smiled back at her. Wonderful..?

Theo set me down in one of the beds at the far right of the room and went ahead to get a nurse.

“Stay here.” He said.

He came back with flasks and bottles cradled in his arms.

“What will you do with that?” I asked – suspicious of what he was holding.

“Potions to get you patched up! This’ll heal your wounds quickly! Look at me, I’m all healed.”

Sure enough, before he got those potions, he looked heavily beaten up. However, those wounds he got from the three was now long gone. Not a single mark was left.

But still, I refuted the thought of being mended by a stranger and retreated at the far end of the bed.

“I will NOT get fixed up by a stranger. Call the lady at the entrance, better, give those to me and I’ll do it myself.”

I noticed Theo watching me as I demanded something wild. I thought he was being friendly to me but it seemed like it came off more suspicious than friendly.

“You’re being stupid. Also that lady was a golem.” He walked towards me without hesitating.

“W-what?”

While Theo patched me up, I was thrashing around like a stupid kid. Fighting against the evil kid who wants to perform experiments to me. Nevertheless I still got mended.

“See? I was not gonna hurt you.” Theo said.

“Better safe than sorry.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

It was already dusk when we parted. The sky was a hue of orange mixed with yellow like the one I used to gaze on my window. I went to my house tired from my adventure.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 5 turns after that incident and we didn’t get to see each other again.