Elevate

New Errands

IN THE FOREST

To tell a story, it comes with a good and a bad side. And for the couple, they have made themselves dwelt with the unscrupulous one and now they’re trying to make things out to right. Liech had been wondering why her niece couldn’t make it, even if she had let her know that their abode is open for her. At least, she doesn’t want to think that the lady doesn’t want to see her at all. She doesn’t want to realize how wrong she’s.

“Where’s Vixen?” The woman asked with her low voice. She was hoping that she would hear a suitable reason. Her hair was still wet and a pale white grey dress was brushing off the ground as she was wearing her flat shoes. She laid the plate of garlic bread that she had made on the table and gave them each a fork. It was the best food she could offer to them.

She was sitting over the wooden chair, she stared over Miguel and Cody who’re settling across her. The kids just went inside their rooms to play. They’re currently in the living room to discuss something and to spend some time. It’s been a while when they visited the place. The wind was colder than inside the city itself. Deep-rooted, long pine trees surrounded their place.

The lights continued to flicker once in a while. It has been like that when the new system took its stand in Embreal City. Yet, the people, especially those residing in the forest were grateful for it. Their place was now able to shine during the night and they won’t be using candles and lamps anymore. It was a blessing to them.

“Ah. Well…Vixen is currently on the mission with Loshiana and Guilbert. She told me that you don’t need to worry. She’ll just give a visit here when she got time…” Cody curtly said.

He doesn’t want to disappoint his aunt. He knew somehow that Vixen doesn’t have the mettle to talk to her and might took some time to let her. Liech probably knew it all along but tried to hide her feelings by giving them her usual smile. Perhaps, they just don’t want to hurt each other.

Cody cleared his throat and took a sip of the tea that the woman had prepared for them. She used to make some for them before and it was their favorite. He smiled and complimented her, “It tasted better this time, Aunt.”

The woman giggled in delight. Clasping her hands together, she uttered, “Really? I’ve been selling them now here in the forest.”

“Oh. That’s good to hear, Aunt Liech.” Miguel answered.

“Well, are you going to stay here? I’ll make some grilled pork and corn soup for dinner-” She instantly jolted from her seat and was about to go to the kitchen but Cody stopped him.

“Woah. N-No. No, thanks Aunt Liech. But, we really have to go back to the base. They might be waiting for us in the base.” He promptly said.

“Oh…Is that so…Then probably, we can make some n-next time right?” She said, keeping up her jolly voice.

The men slowly nodded to her in agreement. “Yes, Aunt.” Miguel said.

The two of them stood and smiled. “Well, we’re going now. Thank you so much for the time.” Cody uttered and grabbed his satchel on the couch. They progressed to the door, but just before they could make it outside, a man bringing a sheep’s leg inside a sack on his back came to them. It was William Miller.

“You’re here.” He simply stated.

“G-Good evening, Uncle. W-Were just going to leave right now.” Miguel uttered, trying not to meet the man’s gape.

The man chuckled and gradually offered the sac to his wife. Liech gratefully possessed it. it was a lucky day for the Miller. Their father was able to catch a sheep and got his part from the chopper. It was his part-time job in the Forest.

He instantly went between them and put his arms on their shoulders. “Oh, come on. Let’s share our dinner this time, don’t you think?” He smilingly said and pushed their backs back into the house again.

“B-But, we still have something t-to do-” Cody didn’t finish what he was saying when the man caught him off directly. “No buts, young man. Let’s just spend some time tonight then you can do your errands after this. Will that be okay?”

The two of them looked at each other. It didn’t take a second for them to decide – a simple nod.

“That’s great to know. Let’s go to the kitchen. Your Aunt Liech will be cooking for us tonight.” He said.

The three of them hurdled inside. Cody and Miguel settled down on the chairs, while Liech prepared the crops as her husband chopped the meat. Every beat became louder as he stroked his blade. When William was done, he excused himself to their room to change his clothes.

Their sight followed him up until he went inside. They were left with such curiosity towards how the man acted. It’s unusual for them to see their Uncle William to act such one – calm and accommodating. To them, he’s more of an occupied, silent man and doesn’t bother to talk that much. But it was before. And somehow, maybe the time or what happened for years has changed him. The kids went out and moved in their direction. When they saw that their uncles haven’t gone yet, they moved to them and hugged them tightly.

Hannah jumped and sat on Miguel’s lap. The man let out a sneer and brushed her hair using his fingers.

“Are you going to stay here for tonight, Uncle?” The young child asked.

“Oh, no, Hannah. Your uncles will just stay here for dinner. They still have an important thing to do after this.” Her mother answered her and transferred the crops that she just finished slicing to the pot.

Macky had just started making fire by burning those chopped wood his father had himself busy. Liech went to him and carefully placed the pot on top of it. She added some spices. After a while, their father went out from the room, now being clothed in his loose blue shirt and pants. He was wearing his thin, almost gone sleepers. He smiled at them and went in their direction.

“What do we have here?” He asked and smelled around.

“Corn soup.” Liech answered him.

He licked his lips. “That sounded yummy.”

“It sure does.”

Miguel decided to help the couples with their dinner. He asked his Uncle where their plates and utensils were placed. The man simply pointed to the drawer above the kitchen sink where cobwebs were heavily hanging on top of it. The wood was slowly abolished by those termites. Yet, he didn’t bother to get rid of it. He pulled his chair and stood on it. He opened the drawer and took some of it. Cody carried and let Hannah took his stand and assisted Miguel. He grabbed the plates from him and gently placed each of them on top of the table. Hannah took their utensils in the box beside the faucet. When they’re done, Miguel went and opened the faucet for him to wash his face. But to his dismay, the water smelt rust and had a yellowish color.

William prepared the coals and started to grill the pork. Pale grey smoke flung on top of them near their chimney. They could clearly hear those rattles and howls of those creatures outside. Their neighbors were distant from each other. It was getting colder. Those. Macky had been playing with those Incys like with the Butcher. They were bigger than those of the man. Macky slightly swirled his fingers on the water.

“Why is it like this?” He asked them.

Macky glanced at him and tapped his hands on his pants and said, “It’s been like that since before. That’s how Mom and Dad told us. You should use this, Uncle Miguel.” The boy offered him a pale of fresh water from the well.

The man thanked him and carried the pale on the sink and washed his hands. Macky offered him a clean white cloth afterward and dried himself.

“Where’s Vixen by the way?” William suddenly laid a question to them. It was a surprise for them to see him asking about her. In fact, he doesn’t mention or say her name at all. As if it was a curse for him.

“Oh. Vixen is on a quest with Guilbert and Loshiana." Cody shortly.

“I thought she doesn’t want to go here and just making excuses.” He bluntly said.

No one has ever dared to tell the truth or maybe it was half the lie. He was known for being like that – straightforward bust somehow supercilious. He crossed his arms and rested his back on the chair. After a while, Liech had finished making the soup and the other. Hannah went behind her back and grabbed a bowl of rice. William had also finished grilling the pork and placed it on a plate. Liech transferred the soup to a ceramic bowl. Gathering around the table, they asked Cody to lead the prayer. After he did, they immediately settled down.

Liech filled the kids’ plates with rice, while the men grabbed some of the grilled pork and poured soup in their bowls. Cody sipped his. Closing his eyes, he breathed with satisfaction. He surely did miss his Aunt’s food.

The three of them, Miguel, Vixen and him were able to live with the couple for almost two years just before they left the city back then. The kids have grown with them in quite some time. They were their second family. When Guilbert and Kinzel used to go anywhere to find work and daily necessities, the three of them were left in the couple’s abode to help with the crops. Only Loshiana was not able to get in touch that much with Liech and William since Kinzel wanted her by her side.

“How’s your health by the way, Macky?” Cody inquisitively asked him.

The boy nodded and smiled as he munched his food. He let him finish first then the child answered him courteously. “I’m getting better, Uncle Cod. Mom helped me with the nightmares.”

“That’s good to hear. Is it okay if I’ll take a look at you again?” Miguel was now the one who asked him.

“Yes. It’s okay. I’d love to see and know what you’re going to perceive on my mind, Uncle.” He winked at him.

Miguel chuckled as he pointed his fork to him. “That’s a pressure on hit, Macky. Why don’t you give your Uncle Miguel a nice path next time?”

He rubbed his chin and thought for a while. “Hmm. You know I can’t control my memories, Uncle Migs.” He pouted. “And as far as I can, I want to be transparent about it…Even if those memories are vile.”

The man smiled and rubbed his head. “You’ve grown so well.”

“I think so too!” He glanced over at his sister who’s sitting next to him. “Thanks to my dear sister. She’s a great help also for me to control my powers.

Nullification had been a threat to some, especially those who’re seeking for ascendancy. To them, it was a peril for their goal – a thing that they needed to eradicate. Stories have been told that those who possessed such strength were hunted by those like Jack Rush. Without considering their lives, they were easily slain by those.

In fact, even so that Macky had set himself out of misery inside that laboratory, his life is still at stake. Often, he would ponder that he was scourged and it wasn’t a blessing to uphold such power.

Little by little, the boy is able to control it and can let a person lose his strength in a couple of minutes when he touches him. But who knows? It may take time for that person to gain his strength back.

William cleared his throat and uttered, “How’s Era by the way?” His voice suddenly changed into a low one.

“It’s fine. Guilbert is planning to have recruitment too. Right now, he’s working with those papers. Perhaps, you want to join, just tell us.” He earnestly said. “Why don’t you come with us when we go home? What do you think, Aunt?”

The woman glanced over her partner then back to them. She knew that her husband doesn’t have the guts to pull the strings. But maybe she was wrong after all. “Well…I would love to. But, your Uncle has something to do-”

“No. It’s okay. We can go with them this time, Liech. It’s fine.” William cut her off immediately.

“W-What?” Liech stuttered as she couldn’t believe that William, who used to find any excuse for him not to see the woman and barely moved himself outside his territory. He was like a dog, locked in his own cage – voluntarily.

“I mean, we always have our time to go there after Mr. Everdeen had opened the city for us. Yet, we refrained ourselves to do so. I made a choice to do it now, especially when you’re here. It’s time that one of us should confront the other…” He cut her off.

“Are you sure about that, Liam?” She asked for validation.

The man gave her a smile and clasped her hand, pressing it slightly. He looked straight to her eyes and nodded. “Yes. Let’s talk to her.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Miguel spoke.

The kids extoled their father as he slowly getting out his box and realizing that it’s not that bad to do new things and conquer trepidation.

“Now, let’s enjoy the food before it gets cold.” He chuckled.

They were having their great time together. The woman had finished her meal first and just intently watched them. She had hoped for this day to happen when they could see each other again with no fear…where they could share those laughter and tears. It was the best day for her, yet she composed herself for such happiness. To her, to grasp for gladness is such a usual thing, then she’s quite expecting that there would be something to happen which’s against it. Yet, she had hoped that all of them would prosper. It’s just a matter of luck that what she thought about.

A loud, satisfied burp went out from their mouths, then came their smiles. Cody rubbed his belly as well as Hannah. They thanked Liech for the food she had prepared for them.

They stood from their spot. Hannah had helped her mother in washing those dishes and wiped the table. On the other hand, her brother decided to get his things ready inside their room. The family decided to stay for a day with the Era. The three men went outside and placed themselves under the outgrown, copious pine tree.

Miguel sat on the rock and focused his gaze in a distance. Cody stood beside him, leaning his back on the tree, while William stood on the other side, crossing his arms. He glanced over the house and saw Liech and Hannah still in the kitchen.

“Have you roamed the forest?” He asked the two, which in turn looked at each other.

“No, not at all.” Cody pondered.

The man rubbed his chin. “Well, why don’t we do it right now? It will surely take some time before Liech and the kids will get ready.” He added.

“Where are we going then?” Miguel uttered.

“Hmm. Anywhere here, except for those restricted areas.”

“What do you mean by that?” Cody kicked a pebble, making it stumbled a few inches away from him and hit a bigger one.

“The Block. Well, it’s how the man used to call it since then. Literally. It’s an establishment where people who have done unscrupulous things are locked up. You can find the former leader of the Royals there. It’s also the place where Guilbert used to visit it too, when he wanted to see the man and the woman.” He discussed.

Miguel vivaciously turned his head to see William. He thought that Guilbert was going in the forest for Penelope only, but then he mentioned about the other man. “Who is the man you’re talking about?”

“Ohhh…Well, just an ordinary guy, I think. Guilbert had said once that it was the man who used to be locked up in the cellars of the Royals. So, more like a prisoner still. Ian was able to find about the man, since he had some contact with the others too. He’s still hunting those who were able to get away after the destruction.” William answered him.

He tried to recall anyone in his memory that would point him out of whoever it was, but he couldn’t think of anyone.

“Why don’t we just visit the block if you’re too curious about him?” He commented.

“I think we should do that. Let’s just track the time. We don’t want to get home late.” Cody uttered.

The man clapped his hands and took a fine breath. “Great. I’ll just tell Liech about it then we’re free to go. Just wait for me here, okay?”

William rubbed his hands on his pants and promptly moved back inside the house. They saw him moved through the kitchen and talked to Liech. Hannah had gone herself to her room to pack her things. Liech’s face suddenly changes into a troubled one as she rubbed her hand on her arm. William tapped his finger on the table, trying to convince his wife that it would be fine. A sharp look instantly flashed on her face, but the man was able to curve his lips into a smile, pulling her tight into an embrace. He kissed his forehead. Afterward, William left her and went back to them.

Liech glanced over them through the window and gave them a smile with her thumbs up. Then she pinpointed her watch, reminding them to get back on time. The two men waved their hands to their aunt and nodded in agreement. In a while, William joined and put his arm on their shoulders.

“Now, let’s get going boys.”