I pressed my hand against the rough cobblestones and stood up.
I was in the middle of the road. I felt people's gazes as I looked around. The surroundings were nothing like the modern world I knew. Wooden houses lined the street, their chimneys puffing thin trails of smoke. The road was narrow, uneven, and scattered with stones worn smooth by countless footsteps. My throat felt dry, and I suddenly choked on my saliva. As I walked towards the water well, I froze.
Nearby at the well, an old man pulled up water from the stone well and poured it carefully into a wooden bucket, the rope creaking with each movement. A familiar face appeared, sharp eyes, a muscular frame, and a gentle smile I hadn't seen in eight years.
"G-grandfather?" I whispered.
I pressed my foot against the cobblestones, my eyes filled with tears as my breath caught in my throat and my heart pounded. I ran towards the water well, my hand stretched out, almost close enough to grab him. Then, two shadowy figures stepped in beside him, blocking my path.
"Woa—woah! Hold on right there!"
I paused.
"Where are you going… Blake?"
I froze. I was about to say something, until I saw their faces.
Up close, their faces came into view, rough and marked with scars that screamed bandits.
They smiled at me, something cold hidden behind their eyes. One of them suddenly swung his arm.
Thud!
Pain exploded across my face as his fist connected. My footing slipped. The world tilted as I lost my balance, my body reeling from the impact. He kicked my stomach, and I vomited blood, my vision blurring with pain.
The other just stood there, smiling cruelly, watching me get beaten.
"Did you forget your debt, Blake!?"
The man throwing punches froze as the one standing raised a hand to signal him to stop. The puncher glanced at him before lowering his fists, while the standing man stepped forward, his eyes sharp as he whispered:
"Don't forget your debt, Blake."
I staggered back, my mind spinning.
"Who the heck is Blake?" I thought.
They walked away, leaving me beaten on the ground. I lost consciousness as people only gazed, whispering. Before my eyes closed, I saw a shadowy figure in front of me.
"Grandfather…"
I tried to call out, but my voice came out weak.
Everything went black.
"Grandfather!" I shouted.
He swung the axe down, splitting the log with a sharp crack. He turned his head towards me, surprise on his face.
"Oh, Lake! What happened?"
He put his massive axe down while I ran towards him, bruises and mud covering my body. I hugged him, my tears dripping onto his clothes.
"I've been in a fight…" I whispered.
He patted my head, laughing.
"That's my Lake!"
I pouted, frustration bubbling up. I couldn't believe he was laughing at me again. He knelt and wiped my tears from my eyes.
"You're in a fight with a reason, right?"
I sniffed and wiped my eyes with my arms.
"Because they said I don't have parents!" I shouted.
His expression softened, sorrow in his eyes. I scraped the mud off with my fingers. Then he hugged me tightly.
"I will be here with you, my grandson Lake… I won't leave you."
It made me happier that day.
"Grandfather…" I whispered.
The surroundings were full of flowers, with a white coffin buried in the ground. The people who knew my grandfather came, mourning him.
I was the one left at the grave, my tears dripping onto the soil.
"Grandfather…"
I woke up, my tears still dripping from my eyes. The door creaked softly as it opened.
I froze. In front of me, a familiar face.
"G-grandfather!"