The next morning, I was awoken from a dream by the touch of a raindrop. The rain brought cold but fresh air to my lungs. I sat up on my bed, the rough events of yesterday still playing in my mind. How many days had I been here already? As my thoughts drifted, I placed a hand over the necklace that hung above my chest. When I felt for the ring that hung from the necklace, however, there was nothing. The ring was gone. I panicked, my eyes darting over my surroundings, looking for the ring. I knew I still had it when I fell asleep, so where is it now?
I was frantically wandering around my little room, getting more and more desperate, when suddenly I heard a small voice behind me.
- Are you okay? – It was the girl that I met with her sister, from before.
- My ring... It’s gone. – My sadness hung upon my words, like weighted air.
- Oh... I think I know where it could be.
I gave a surprised look and crouched beside her. Trusting her, I asked where I could find it.
- Follow me! - She picked up her feet and darted away, and I followed best I could. She was fast for someone so small.
We ended up in a little marketplace of sorts, with dozens of shops and assorted goods. The rain had stopped being bothersome, but my wet clothes began to chill me and not even my hood was helping. The girl pointed to one shop in particular, full of metal scraps and the occasional weapon. We entered the shop to find it already occupied, there was another girl selling something to the shopkeeper ahead of us. When she lifted her hand towards him, I noticed that she was trying to sell my ring.
- Hey! Stop! – I yelled, and quickly grabbed my ring.
- What the hell man?! Give it back! – The man responded.
- It's my ring! That girl had to steal it from me! – I pointed angrily at her.
Suspicion played across the man’s face, and he approached the girl. – Is it true? You said that you wouldn’t steal anymore... - The girl started crying, but the man was not buying it. – Alright... I’ll have to call your father and tell him that you’re still a little thief.
The girl panicked and ran off, leaving us to stand around in awkward silence. After a short spell, the man turned to me.
- I'm really sorry for that... she’s a little rat around here. I hope this doesn’t make you mad at me.
- No, no, I'm not mad... - I looked at him and then at my ring. I was happy to get it back.
-But hey! – He piped up - I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new here? - He asked, curious.
- Yeah... I guess so. - I wasn't sure how to answer.
- Then it’s nice to meet you! My name is Cornell! - He reached out and we shook hands. I returned the favor by introducing myself as well. - If you need any weapons then you now know where to look! I'm a master of crafting! - He laughed with joy.
- Thank you. I will remember that for sure.
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3dnkc-0ca0209e-99bc-4291-abbd-1892998ef082.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_600,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz1_by_kinia24lara_de3dnkc-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD02MDAiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2Rua2MtMGNhMDIwOWUtOTliYy00MjkxLWFiYmQtMTg5Mjk5OGVmMDgyLnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.E-UGF92N_JeXrZ98IoSTT2ILt98jQj3xW0rA486c3tU [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3dnkc-0ca0209e-99bc-4291-abbd-1892998ef082.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_600,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz1_by_kinia24lara_de3dnkc-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD02MDAiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2Rua2MtMGNhMDIwOWUtOTliYy00MjkxLWFiYmQtMTg5Mjk5OGVmMDgyLnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.E-UGF92N_JeXrZ98IoSTT2ILt98jQj3xW0rA486c3tU]
Once we left the store, I placed my ring back on the necklace. Feeling its weight on my chest again felt good. I looked to the girl that helped me find it, and she looked happy that I was in a good mood again.
- Thank you for the help. – I gave her a light smile. - But how did you know that my ring would be there?
- Oh, everyone knows that rat! So, I was sure she took it! - She laughed.
- Ah… I see. – The rain had stopped and I could finally see the sun. - By the way, what's your name?
- Oh, my name is Zadie!
Zadie asked me if she could show me a wonderful place she knew of, and since I always seemed to need a pick-me-up lately, I agreed. We headed away from the noisy hustle and bustle of the crowded marketplace. We arrived at what looked to be a garden, full of flowers and decorations, and was calm and peaceful. Zadie sat down on one of the stairs and asked me to join her. I chose a spot on the stairs that was illuminated by the sun. The light was soft and warm, and it made me feel much better. Zadie gave me a big smile.
- Thank you for before. If not for you, I could have died.
- Well... Your sister didn’t think I helped so much.
- My sister is always like that... but you really did help! So, thank you! – She gave me an even bigger smile, which I gladly returned. We sat for a while in silence, then Zadie said. – Joker, why are you here? In this world? Thea told me to stay away from you because of that.
- Oh... well, if you must know, I'm here to find my brother. He’s been gone for a while now... and I'm really worried about him.
- I hope you find him! All siblings should stay together! – I could tell she was trying to cheer me up. - I don't know why Thea doesn’t like you... you seem like a nice guy!
- Oh, I didn’t know your sister doesn’t like me... but I'm glad that you at least like me.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3dnsa-5fc13521-2982-4a14-9196-6c169d8e3d66.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_551,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz2_by_kinia24lara_de3dnsa-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD01NTEiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2Ruc2EtNWZjMTM1MjEtMjk4Mi00YTE0LTkxOTYtNmMxNjlkOGUzZDY2LnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.UhbSC9gNOJHGFhjn-P6-aUBkdTf12xQGKLL0R5kZBL8 [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3dnsa-5fc13521-2982-4a14-9196-6c169d8e3d66.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_551,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz2_by_kinia24lara_de3dnsa-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD01NTEiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2Ruc2EtNWZjMTM1MjEtMjk4Mi00YTE0LTkxOTYtNmMxNjlkOGUzZDY2LnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.UhbSC9gNOJHGFhjn-P6-aUBkdTf12xQGKLL0R5kZBL8]
We both smiled a little, and the quietness returned. Shortly after Zadie spoke up again.
- What about the ring? Are you married?
I looked at her and then at my ring, and felt sadness well up behind my eyes, I missed El so much. I wondered what she might have been doing just then.
- Yes, I am... and I miss her. I hope to find my brother soon, so I can return to her.
- So, you left her to find your brother? - She looked down. – That’s sad.
- Yeah...
I was going to ask Zadie another question when we were both startled by someone yelling. We both turned to look up the stairs to see Zadie’s sister Thea running at me, anger in her eyes.
- What the hell are you doing here with her?! - She screamed.
- I brought him here. – Zadie looked scared by her sister’s attitude. - He had a bad morning, so I wanted to help him a bit.
Thea stopped and tried to calm herself down, she didn't mean to scare her little sister.
- Alright Zadie, I'm sure you already helped him, so let's go now. - She reached her hand out, but Zadie refused.
- No! You are always like this! You are not my mom! - She started crying and ran away from us.
Thea turned to me. She looked tired. - Listen... Noiry is looking for you. He is near the front gate, so you should go.
She then left me alone in the garden. I took a deep breath and savored the garden’s peacefulness one last time, and then headed towards the gate to talk to Noiry.
I reached the front gate without much difficulty. It was made easy by the watchtowers on either side, which you could see from anywhere in the complex. Noiry was waiting for me, but I could see that something was bugging him.
- Hey. You wanted to see me? - I asked.
- Yes. I have the sign for you. - He handed me a piece of fabric with a red star. - Remember to wear it, especially outside.
I thanked him and strapped the sign to my coat. When I was done, I looked back to him and could see he was still nervous.
- What's wrong?
- Eh... One of the hunter group was supposed to return like an hour ago... But they haven’t even called back yet.
- Called? – The word caught me by surprise. - You have phones here?
- We do... But not many. Most of them died because we can't charge the battery so... We’re using the modified types of phones. - He showed me a small black box that he had clipped near his belt. - We can charge them with the sun... But they don't have great signal. Also, you can only use them for calls. - He paused for a moment. - Anyway... I'm afraid that something happened to them.
- Can I help somehow?
- If you want to... - He looked at me and then back at the gate. - If they don’t come back in the next hour, then we will need to send a search party. Then, if you want you can join them.
- Alright... But… - I wasn't sure if I should ask the question on my mind. - What about my weapons?
Noiry shot a dark look at me, but after a moment he smiled and chuckled a little.
- Right... I forgot about your weapons. – He then pointed to a small protected garage near the gate - There we have our weapons, and your knife and arrows are there as well. You will be able to grab them whenever you leave.
- Alright I understand.
- But I was wondering... - He looked back at me. - Why do you have arrows but no bow?
- My bow broke... – I turned away, embarrassed.
- Oh... well then... - He retrieved something from his pocket and gave it to me. It was like a blue piece of paper with something written on it.
- What is this?
- It's a card to one of our shops. You can get a new bow there! Just give the man this card and you won't need to pay for it.
- You mean Cornell from the weapon store?
- Oh, so you met him already? - he seemed a bit surprised. - Well yes... I hope he will be able to make a good bow for you.
- Okay. Thank you. – I inspected the card, wondering what other weapons I could get from the shop.
I had one hour to wait and prepare. I was hoping that the group would come back in one piece, but at the same time I was excited about going out with the search group. When I got to the shop Cornell was still there, and he greeted me and asked how he could help me. I told him that I needed a new bow and I made sure to give him the blue card. He looked at me and then at the card. Then he laughed with joy and told me to wait for a moment. He left for another room out of view, leaving me to wait in the shop. Looking around I saw so many amazing weapons, crafted from an array of different materials.
After 40 minutes or so of waiting, I was somewhat bored, so I grabbed one of the many knives around and tried one of the tricks that Shaun tried teaching me. I flipped the knife in the air and promptly dropped it on the floor, almost hitting my foot.
- Heh... That wasn't such a good idea...
I put the knife back where I found it, and then heard Cornell laughing but this time he was laughing at me.
- That's some sick trick there, Joker! Ha ha!
Embarrassed, I silently wished Shaun had taught me better tricks.
Cornell stopped laughing and handed me a new bow. I inspected the bow closely. It was made of fine wood, but it also had some metallic elements installed in it. The bow had also a good weight, not too heavy, which would surely help with aiming. It was perfect. Sporting a wide grin, it was clear to anyone I was happy with my new weapon.
- Ah! I see you like it? - Cornell asked, pleased.
- Of course! It's an amazing bow! Thanks!
I thanked Cornell again before I left the shop. I still had some time, but I wanted to check the gate to see whether the group had returned. When I reached the gate, I noticed a group of people, two young men and a woman. I guessed it was the search group. Noiry walked up and gave me my knife and arrows, telling me to be ready to leave soon. I scanned the evening sky as I sorted my gear. It was already getting dark.
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3do0l-05da03a5-d965-4212-9b41-a26af967a437.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_538,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz3_by_kinia24lara_de3do0l-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD01MzgiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2RvMGwtMDVkYTAzYTUtZDk2NS00MjEyLTliNDEtYTI2YWY5NjdhNDM3LnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.KIgdFWgF5sZjxjeGBOsHjgJSqhUIFbqoTsonabz-Qy0 [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/82661c93-9351-4e6d-b82f-6e1e720e90f5/de3do0l-05da03a5-d965-4212-9b41-a26af967a437.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_538,q_80,strp/art_page_6_3_cz3_by_kinia24lara_de3do0l-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD01MzgiLCJwYXRoIjoiXC9mXC84MjY2MWM5My05MzUxLTRlNmQtYjgyZi02ZTFlNzIwZTkwZjVcL2RlM2RvMGwtMDVkYTAzYTUtZDk2NS00MjEyLTliNDEtYTI2YWY5NjdhNDM3LnBuZyIsIndpZHRoIjoiPD0xMjgwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.KIgdFWgF5sZjxjeGBOsHjgJSqhUIFbqoTsonabz-Qy0]