People passed by ~ men, women, children played. None of them were familiar.
His heart sank.
This isn't Oatile.
He looked up. Above him hung a wooden sign, slightly crooked, marked with faded letters.
Shank's tavern!
"How did I end up in a passageway aside a tavern...?" he muttered. "This doesn't make sense."
He exhaled slowly.
"I should ask someone for directions."
***
A heavily drunk couple stumbled out of the tavern at that moment. They leaned against each other for balance, laughing loudly, their voices spilling into the street along with the smell of alcohol. One of them loosely held a bottle, its contents sloshing with every careless step.
Elifero hesitated.
They don't look friendly....
As the couple was about to pass him, he forced himself forward and stopped them.
"E~ excuse me," he said. "Sorry for the bother, but ~"
He was cut off immediately.
"What, kid?" the man snapped. "What do you want? You asking for money?"
Elifero stiffened.
The man leaned closer, his tone rough and impatient. "Speak up. Don't you see I'm busy?"
The words tangled in Elifero's throat. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
"Brian."
The woman's voice cut through the tension ~ soft, but firm.
"That's enough."
She gently nudged the man aside and crouched slightly so she was closer to Elifero's height. Her expression was warm, apologetic.
"What do you need, sweetheart?"
Elifero swallowed.
"What village id this?"
"Eman Village," she replied without hesitation.
His chest tightened.
"Oatile Village," he said quickly. "Do you know where that is?"
The woman's smile faded just a little. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I've never heard of it."
"That's okay," Elifero said, forcing a small smile. "Thank you."
She nodded, and the couple moved on, the man muttered under his breath as they disappeared into the crowd.
Elifero watched them go.
"... How does someone like her end up with someone like that...?" he murmured, shaking his head.
The dog barked once, as if agreeing.
Elifero turned away and began walking through the village, unaware that he was already deep within Eman Village.
***
Time passed.
The sun dipped lower, painting the sky with soft shades of orange and gold.
"Ah ~!" Elifero groaned. "No matter who I ask, no one knows my village."
Worry gnawed at him.
"Mom and Uncle Pedro must be looking for me by now," he muttered. "Bloom and Raim are probably crying like crazy."
He slowed his steps. His chest ached.
The dog that had followed him earlier was gone.
"Guess you just wanted food from me," Elifero said with a weak laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
He kept walking.
That was when he heard it.
Noise.
Loud voices. Shouting. The sharp clatter of something hitting the ground.
As he drew closer, the clearer it became. He spotted a group of older boys gathered in a loose circle. Coins glittered on the ground between them.
Gambling.
One boy stormed out of the group, face red with frustration. He kicked the dirt hard.
"How is it that I always lose?!" he yelled.
Elifero slowed.
Their eyes met.
"Hey," the boy said, pointing. "You. Come here."
Elifero hesitated only a second before approaching.
The boy grabbed his shoulders and leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Lend me some money," he whispered. "I'll pay you back if I win."
"I don't have any," Elifero said simply.
The grip loosened. The boy's smile vanished.
"... Useless." the boy muttered, turning his back.
Elifero frowned, studying him.
Then ~ something stirred.
The image was blurry, fragmented... but familiar.
"Sorry to ask," Elifero said cautiously, "but have we met before?"
The boy scoffed.
"I'm known by plenty of people. What's your point?"
Suddenly, it clicked.
"I think I saw you once," Elifero said. "You were with a group of kids my age.... protesting."
"So what?" the boy replied sharply.
Elifero hesitated.
"I don't remember things clearly. My memories are ~"
"Not here," the boy interrupted. "We should talk somewhere else." he said quietly. "Follow me."
***
They stopped in a narrow alley, away from the noise.
The boy turned around.
"What's your name?" he asked. "And don't waste time."
"Elifero T. Plaish," Elifero said, placing a hand over his chest. "It's a pleasure."
For a moment, there was silence.
The laugher exploded.
The boy bent over, clutching his stomach as tears streamed down his face. "... I like you."
He extended his hand.
"Jon Jr Donathan. But you can call me Jr "
They shook.
For a brief moment, Elifero felt it.
A chill.
Jon's smile stayed ~ but his eyes shifted. Sharper. Measuring.
Somewhere nearby, a bell rang. Low. Distant.
Jon glanced toward the sound, then back at Elifero.
Before Elifero could know what Jon was looking at, Jon turned and walked away.
"Come on," he said. "If you're lost, sticking with me might keep you alive."
Elifero hesitated.
Then followed.
***