Elifero's eyes widened after hearing the words that had just left the woman's mouth. His breathing became uneven, heavy gasps escaping his lips one after another. This was the second time he had felt such fear from a single individual, though he himself couldn't remember when the first had been.
His heart pounded.
Faster.
And faster.
With each beat, the sound seemed louder than the last.
Fear clouded his mind so completely that he failed to notice how violently his heart was racing. But for someone standing close to him, the frantic rhythm was impossible to ignore.
Suddenly, a shadow covered his trembling figure.
His heart leaped.
Then—
A warm hand gently rested on his head.
Arms wrapped around him.
That warmth…
It reminded him of his uncle.
Though he could no longer remember the man's face clearly, the feeling remained.
Safe.
Familiar.
Why?
Why did a simple touch make his chest tighten?
Why did it make him want to cry?
"Don't be afraid."
Jon's soft voice entered his ears.
"Nobody is going to kill you. She was just lying."
He gently rubbed Elifero's head.
"You're safe here."
Those words sank deep into Elifero's heart.
"Just take deep breaths and calm down."
Elifero obeyed.
Slowly, with every breath he took, his racing heartbeat settled. The fog clouding his mind gradually disappeared, and his vision became clear once more.
Ten minutes passed.
Only then did Elifero realize that blood had already dried on Jon's arm and cheek. Even his shirt had been stained.
His eyes widened.
"Your wounds…" guilt filled his voice. "Jon… you have to treat them. Let me help you."
Jon stood up.
"Are you okay now?" he asked.
Elifero stared blankly.
How could someone stand up so casually after all of this?
"Hey, Elifero."
Jon waved his hand.
"Are you listening?"
He scratched the back of his head before letting out a small sigh.
"Or are you still scared?"
A gentle smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, though the dried blood on his face made the expression look strangely out of place.
"Don't worry. As I said, she won't do anything."
Elifero lowered his gaze.
Broken pieces of glass still rested on the floor and table.
Blood stains remained scattered around the room.
Even the wall beside the table still bore the mark left by the bottle.
Everything felt so unreal.
"I'll get a broom and some water."
Jon turned around.
"And you should drink something too."
As Jon disappeared into the kitchen, silence fell.
Outside, faint sounds of evening chatter drifted into the house. Somewhere in the distance, children laughed as they played.
Life outside continued as though nothing had happened.
Yet inside this room, only broken glass and dried blood remained.
A few moments later, Jon returned carrying a cup of water, a broom, a cloth, and some bandages.
Squatting down in front of him, he stretched out the cup.
"Here."
He smiled.
"It's water."
Elifero quietly accepted it.
The cool liquid slid down his throat, soothing the dryness left behind by fear.
While Elifero drank, Jon quietly swept away the broken pieces and wiped away the blood stains.
Once everything was cleaned, he began opening the bandages.
Then—
"Why are you helping me?"
Jon paused.
Silence filled the room.
"Ever since I came here…" Elifero lowered his head.
"All I've done is cause trouble."
His voice trembled.
"When I was panicking, you comforted me."
"You were hurt."
"You were bleeding."
"And yet you still…"
"Are you hungry?"
Elifero blinked.
"I was still talking—"
Jon smiled.
"Are you hungry?"
His eyes softened.
"Yes or no?"
He pointed towards the kitchen.
"We still have leftovers from yesterday."
His smile widened slightly.
"Let me heat them, and we'll share."
Elifero stared.
How?
How could someone smile after everything that had happened?
A few moments later, Jon returned carrying two steel plates.
"Careful."
He chuckled softly.
"They're hot."
The aroma of reheated food slowly spread through the room, gradually replacing the metallic smell of dried blood.
Elifero's eyes sparkled.
"Wow…"
"This looks delicious."
Jon smiled.
"Let's pray before we eat."
"Pray?"
Elifero tilted his head.
"What's that?"
Jon patiently explained.
"It's a way of expressing gratitude to the One above."
He looked at the food resting before them.
"Food isn't just something we earn ourselves."
"It's a blessing."
Elifero listened attentively.
"So… do I bow down and scream thank you or something?"
Jon burst out laughing.
"No!"
He held his stomach.
"Nothing like that!"
After calming himself down, he pressed his palms together.
"Thank you for the food."
Elifero immediately copied him.
"Thank you for the food."
A smile naturally formed on his face.
For some reason, he liked this strange little ritual.
Then they began eating.
"Sorry if it isn't much."
Jon scratched his cheek.
"But hopefully it'll help you regain your strength."
Elifero shook his head and happily stuffed his mouth with food.
The warmth of the meal spread through his body.
And strangely enough…
For the first time since waking up in this unfamiliar village—
He felt at peace.
After finishing, the two dirty plates rested beside them.
Suddenly, Elifero placed his palms together and bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
Jon blinked.
"Huh?"
His eyebrows rose.
"What's that for?"
"You said it yourself."
Elifero smiled.
"I'm showing my gratitude."
"For helping me."
Jon stared for a moment before chuckling.
"At least you're smiling now."
Then his expression became serious.
"Look."
"Don't think I'm some hero or anything."
He looked away awkwardly.
"I'm not as tough as I look."
"And I'm definitely not helping you because it's the right thing to do."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I'm not even a good person."
A small laugh escaped him.
"I just helped you without really thinking about it."
His smile disappeared.
"So don't always accept everyone's hand."
His voice was straightforward.
Honest.
Pure.
"I'm just going to help you get your memories back."
"And help you find the things you've lost."
A soft smile returned to his face.
"Then you can go home."
"Your mother is probably worried sick."
He leaned back.
"Besides…"
"You don't belong in this village forever."
Those words lingered in the room.
Home.
Mother.
The words echoed inside Elifero's mind.
Strange.
He couldn't remember either of them.
Not a face.
Not a voice.
Not even a touch.
Nothing.
And yet…
Why did it hurt?
Why did the thought of someone waiting for him make his chest ache?
Why did he suddenly feel afraid?
Afraid that no one was waiting at all.
Afraid that perhaps…
There was no home to return to.
No mother to embrace him.
No place would welcome him back.
Elifero lowered his eyes.
For the first time since waking up in this strange village—
He found himself hoping.
Hoping that somewhere, beyond his missing memories…
Someone was waiting.
Waiting for him to come home.