The Black Widow and Alpha Landlord

Chapter 5: Coming to Their Rescue

As the footsteps drew nearer, the underbrush rustled, and a group of villagers came out of the dense forest, their lanterns and torches cast flickering light on their worried faces. The older lady with a serious face, Seraphina, took a step forward and saw what happened.

When Seraphina and the villagers went down into the ravine to get closer to Jasmine and Randolph, the lanterns and torches they were carrying gave the scene a creepy glow. Her voice filled with authority as she demanded, "What's going on here, dear?"

Jasmine, still kneeling beside Randolph who winced in pain, looked up to meet Seraphina's stern gaze.

In a hurried rush, she explained the situation to Seraphina and the villagers gathered around. "I found him injured after he fell into the ravine, and I called for help using the flare. He needs urgent medical attention. Can you please help us?"

"Of course, dear. We'll take care of him. But let's get him out of here and back to the village first.” Seraphina turned to Randolph with a worried look and asked, "Sir, can you tell us your name and how badly you're hurt?"

Randolph winced slightly as he stammered his words. "My name is… Randolph and I've got a few aches and pains all over."

"Can you stand or move? We'll need to get you out of this ravine safely first."

Randolph winced in pain as he attempted to move, but he quickly shook his head and replied, "I can't. It's too painful. I think my arm and leg are injured, and I can't put any weight on it."

Jasmine nodded and added, "Yes, his arm looks pretty bad, and he's been in a lot of pain. I couldn't help him get up earlier too."

Seraphina turned to the villagers and spoke, "We'll help them right away. Let's get him out of here and back to the village for proper care!"

She then exchanged a few quick words with the other villagers, who nodded in agreement.

Without much exchange of words, they started to work together right away to create a makeshift stretcher. They gathered sturdy branches and tied them together with vines and cloth, forming a stable platform to carry Randolph. It was clear that these villagers were very experienced in handling emergencies in the forest.

Seraphina instructed the villagers to carefully lift Randolph onto the makeshift stretcher they had created. The villagers gathered around Randolph, carefully lifting him. They moved with practiced efficiency, despite the challenging terrain of the ravine. Soon, they were on their way back to the village, the lanterns and torches illuminating their path through the dark forest.

The old lady and a burly villager extended their arms to help Jasmine, recognizing her own physical limitations. With their combined strength and effort, they helped Jasmine climb up the steep terrain, ensuring she safely made her way out of the ravine alongside Randolph.

Jasmine walked alongside them, relieved that help had arrived in their time of need. Seraphina looked at her kindly and said, "You did a good thing by calling for help. And it’s really good that you found him."

"Seraphina, thank you for coming to our rescue."

Seraphina nodded as they continued their journey back to the village, where Randolph could receive the urgent medical attention he needed.

The old lady then turned her attention to Jasmine and asked, "Who is this man, dear? Do you know where he comes from?"

"I don't know much about him, but his name is Randolph. He said he’s a traveler passing through. Before the incident, he accidentally bumped into me, and I ended up falling into the pond," Jasmine explained as she recounted the incident to Seraphina.

Seraphina nodded as she listened to Jasmine's explanation. "I see," she said with a thoughtful expression. "Well, accidents happen, and fortunately, you were there to help him when he needed it."

Jasmine nodded and looked at Seraphina. "Do you think he'll be okay? He seems to be in bad condition."

Seraphina nodded and reassured her, "We'll do our best to take care of him, dear. Once we get him back to the village, our healer will tend to his injuries. He'll be in good hands."

"Yes, sure. I hope he'll be alright."

Seraphina turned her attention to Jasmine and asked, "What about your aunt and the rest of your family, dear? Are they well?"

"They're doing well, thank you for asking. It's been about two weeks since I last visited them, but they're used to me being away for periods due to my work with the flocks," Jasmine replied with a bitter smile.

"It seems like you've been working too hard, dear. But remember, taking care of family is just as important. They'll appreciate your visits."

Jasmine didn't respond, but a slight grin tugged at the corners of her lips, showing her appreciation for Seraphina's advice and concern.

She didn’t mind showing her face to her aunt and her cousins, but it only tended to trigger yet another cycle of distressing nightmares.

The thought of seeing the Swafford family brought a deep sense of unease and dread, serving as a stark reminder of the life she had left behind and the daunting challenges she currently faced.

If she had any chance, she would have chosen to live a solitary life in the wilderness instead of being close to her family. Nobody but herself knew how much pain and harm they had caused her.

Seraphina turned to Jasmine and suggested her idea. "You know, dear," she began, "I'm thinking of another plan for Randolph.”

“What is that?”

“I think he should stay in your cabin under your care."

Jasmine rolled her eyes slightly and then asked, "Why do you think so?"

"Well, dear, your cabin is closer than the village. You can help him recover faster by giving him the proper rest and care he needs. You've already shown a lot of kindness by helping him in the first place. It makes sense that you should keep helping him get better."

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

"Yes, dear. It would be easier for him to recover there. Moreover, you seem to be quite capable and compassionate, so I think it's a good idea."

Jasmine paused, contemplating the responsibility that would come with caring for Randolph. Then she replied, "I suppose that could work. If it helps him recover more quickly and he's willing to stay there, I'm willing to help him as best as I can. But what about his recovery? Do we have the necessary supplies and knowledge to help him heal?"

"Don't worry, dear. We can gather some medical supplies from the village, and there are a few skilled healers among us who can help in his recovery. You won't be alone in this. We'll make sure he gets the care he needs."

"Well, I don't see any other choice for me. Let's do everything we can to help him recover fast.”

As they walked off into the fading dusk in silence, they had no idea that some pairs of sharp eyes were watching their every move from somewhere in the darkness.