When she returned to her cabin, she didn't even take off her clothes before getting into bed and stuffing her face into her pillow.

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Several days passed and she couldn't help but have her mind run a little. She leaned her fist against her chin looking out the window sill.

(“Maybe I shouldn't have dropped him in an area with wolves so close by.”)

She shook her head.

(“No, he probably would have encountered wolves while he was on his own. Why should I care if that happens while I'm present?”)

She continued looking out the window. This wasn't working. She hoped to clear her mind looking outside but it only gave her ample time to focus on what she did instead.

She slipped her slippers on and headed out the front door. Maybe going to one of her usual haunts in town would make her feel better. She could use a conversation.

She left her cabin and headed down the hill, closing the gate behind her.

She continued walking until she reached the main road that led to town.

She noticed some children gathered by the side of the road and didn't think much of them until she saw what they were doing.

“Hurrah, I'm the vanquisher of monsters, the great hero Gallus. Do you two wish to be my disciplines?”

The child asked, posing triumphantly. He looked about ten and Colleen regretfully recognised the boy.

The other two children looked hesitant but soon played along. “Hmph, some great hero you are, you can't even kill a monster.”

“Um… is the training free?” The little girl with them gently replied.

The boy who proclaimed himself a hero thought about it for a few moments. “Hmmm… The first lesson is free but you'll have to pay for the others.”

“Phew,” she exhaled in relief, taking it seriously.

“Gavin-”

“Great hero Gallus, that's my name.”

The boy he interrupted had his eyes glued to the floor. He had broken character but with good reason.

“I-is it okay to be so close to him? He's still alive right?” The boy hesitantly asked.

“Hmm?” He looked down. Below one of his feet was a goblin with white hair. He was covered in wounds and bites, with his only movement being breathing.

He kicked the goblin and other than showing discomfort on its face, nothing bad happened.

“See?” He said while smirking.

“He isn't playing dead right?”

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The boy started looking around. “As long as I get to do it, I don't mind finding a rock to crush his head.” He nonchalantly responded.

“I-is that okay?” the little girl of the group asked.

“Yes, it is, student. (Heheh, Dad's gonna be stoked when I bring this back. Maybe he might even let me train seriously with him.)”

Colleen quickly made her way over.

“Kiddos, what are you doing so far out from town?”

The boy and the girl jumped back from the expected presence and ran to get behind Gavin. Gavin meanwhile, stood tall as this adversary made their presence known.

“It's the bitch.” He confidently stated as he stared at her down.

She blankly stared at him and he tried to stifle his laughter.

She rubbed her temple. “Witch, Gavin. People call me a witch.”

“It's bit-”

“Would you like me to tell your parents the types of words you've learned and used when they're not around?”

He cleared his throat and straightened his face. “Hohoho, I see, witch. This goblin is one of your minions. Well too bad because I've already defeated him. And you're next.”

He stepped on and over the goblin like a stairstep and ran towards the woman. She clicked her tongue as he approached and held out a single hand.

The boy began throwing punches and she blocked them with little issue. He tried to move closer to sweep her legs but she pushed him back and had him balancing himself backwards to stay on his feet.

He managed to get flat-footed and smirked.

“Powerful as always, witch. But today is the day you're slain by a great hero.”

“Uh-huh.” She commented disinterested, her attention more so focused on the goblin on the floor. The other children had taken up sticks and began poking him, while crouched.

She looked back to notice Gavin crouched down picking something up. He ran towards her and stopped just short. He flung his hand forward and opened it to reveal dirt.

“To fight against an evil foe and hero must do sometimes do something dirty!” He loudly shouted.

She stepped to the side. But she was too conservative. The spread of the dirt was larger than she thought and a few specks caught her nice, bright sundress.

The children could all feel the atmosphere change.

“M-m-miss Colleen?” Gavin weakly asked. His face had gone pale and he couldn't even bring himself to look at her without feeling his heart was going to stop.

He could hear her footsteps slowly coming closer.

The other children were petrified by fear and couldn't even open their mouths to beg for their lives.

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“I'm sorry for that, you two. Did Aunty Colleen scare you?”

The two children were reduced to tears as she gently patted their heads. They nodded as they wiped their eyes.

“Is grandma a monster?” The girl asked.

“(Why are kids so insistent in calling me that? I don't even look that old!) I can be, if I get very very mad, so please don't dirty my dress like Gavin over there.” She gently said, removing her hands from their heads.

Gavin was lying on the floor with a few new lumps on his head, several paces away.

She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe their tears off and pulled out her purse.

“Now, I'd say you two deserve a reward for behaving yourselves.” She pulled out several coins and handed them to each child.

The children stopped their sniffling and looked up at her.

“T-thank you, Miss Colleen.” The boy responded before reaching to shake her hand.

The girl nodded, though she said nothing.

Colleen shook the little boy's hand. “(Who thought him to do that?) I heard the bakery is making some pudding so you better hurry on before they run out.”

“Really?” The boy let go of her hand and walked off. The girl meekly bowed and followed after him.

She stood up and waved while watching them leave.

(“I really hope that bakery made pudding today.”)