The Way Back Home's

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Farrell stared into the darkness. The dark black sky looked back at him in silence. There are no stars, no snow. The leaves of the tree that blocked half his gaze also looked just like the darkening of the night sky. He did not mind, instead he enjoyed the darkness, different from usual. His mind drifted without direction. Until anger filled his mind.

He no longer knows his family. Let alone the family, he doesn't even recognize himself. Everything is like a dream. Nightmares. He wants to wake up from all that. She hoped to wake up in her room with a bright sunshine waiting behind the curtains. Mom waits downstairs for breakfast, dad drinks coffee while reading the paper, Milo talks about basketball, and Libby takes Toto around the house. However, Farrell realized he was waking up at this moment.

The bitter truth kept him awake.

Part of his heart wanted to cry and scream. Some want to go and forget everything. He wants to return to his world. To a world without magic. There may be one or two friends who can listen to his story, help him find a new place to live, even — maybe — help find his real parents. He was curious about the reactions of those people when he heard his story. Could it be that they would look at him with contempt or even compassion? With the new reality unfolding like this, Farrell knew clearly that he could not go home as if nothing had happened. What about his sisters? Milo and Libby?

Nah! Farrell cried out in his heart. They are not his family. He reminded himself again to realize that he was not part of Eden's estuary anymore.

“Farrell Eden?”

Farrell heard the voice of someone nearby. He turned his head, finding a young man standing not far from his position. The young man was wearing a black coat and was walking over.

“Farrell Eden? Right ‘kan? What are you doing outside the city gate?”

Farrell still couldn't believe that someone had approached him and mentioned the name he had just tried to forget. The young man, Vincent, is standing in front of him now. Farrell had no intention of answering and had no intention of saying anything. He was unmoved in a snow-filled garden chair with a tree as his roof. Awkwardly, he turned his eyes down.

“You.... alright?” Vincent tried to see the face of his interlocutor.

“Ya.” Finally Farrell spoke, quietly and a little hoarse.

“Is something happening?” Vincent asked again, his tone a little doubtful. “You look... tired.”.

“Nothing happened,” said Farrell more firmly. He looked at Vincent and smiled an expressionless smile.

Vincent nodded and began to step back. “OK. See you at the inn,” he said as he turned away.

Farrell is quite happy with Vincent's arrival. He now knew it was outside the city gates. Previously, he was completely blind to the conditions around him. As far as the eye could see, there were only trees lined up on the hill with one garden seat that he was sitting on at the moment. Even so, he didn't need anyone right now, he just wanted to return to his world. He was even happier when Vincent left.

But, not for long. After a few steps, Vincent turned around and returned to her.

Vincent thrusts a tiny bottle of transparent glass. It was only half, a clear red liquid like wine. “You can freeze if you stay here continuously. Take this.” Farrell looked at him confusedly without question. Vincent added. “This meal can keep you warm. A few drops is enough. Unless you still feel cold, you can drink more,” Vincent smiled and walked away.

Farrell observed the bottle in his grasp. There's a white label there. Similar label letter ‘E’ with intricate decoration curved around it. Something's moving in Farrell's brain. Last name Vincent. Farrell stood up. “Wait! What's your name again? Your last name?”

Vincent stops, turns and still smiles, “Elioscavea.”

“Elioscavea... Elioscavea!” Farrell muttered the name for a moment before rushing to his feet. “You're a drug seller?”

Vincent chuckles. “Not really a drug seller, anyway. We make various potions. Including medication as well. It's funny to hear people call us drug makers. Sounds awkward.“

“What do you do in a small town like this?” Farrell asked back.

“Have you met my uncle?”

Vincent shakes. ”He's very busy. I thought I could talk to him before I left tomorrow. I thought we could work together.”

“Cooperation with you guys?”

“Yes. Collaboration with the Elioscavea family. The name Elioscavea seems like the first time you hear,” guess Vincent. Farrell nodded stiffly. His forehead wiggling. Vincent continued his guess. “You also look new with this all. New first time to the world of magic too?”

Farrell opened his mouth long enough to reply, “I'm not sure.”

“I don't want to interfere in your affairs, but you look a mess. Something happened at the inn or was there a problem in your family?” ask Vincent. Farrell clenched his mouth tightly and turned his eyes back. Vincent knew he had just made a good guess. Vincent continued, “Ups. Bad habit since I went to psychology. You don't have to answer.”

“No! Actually—” Farrell stop. His mouth spoke spontaneously and his brain stopped him as quickly as possible. His heart was worried about having to tell Vincent about everything. Farrell himself felt that the name Elioscavea was famous enough that the gatekeepers knew who they were. Perhaps, Vincent could help him make an antidote potion. But, didn't he just affirm in his heart that he was no longer part of the Eden family?

“Nothing.” Vincent placed both open arms near his chest. “That's your problem and you don't need to tell me.

“Actually... Have you heard of mannequin herb?” Farrell did not expect that his lips would finally mention the potion again.

“That shitty potion. We agreed we would never accept orders for such potions.”

“But, can you make the antidote?”

“Sure. Many came to us to make the antidote.”

“How long time do you need?”

“Hmm... As long as I already know the composition of the herb, I think it can be fast.” Vincent put his shoulders down. “Several hours?”

“Several hours?!” Farrell was sure his eyes were wide open now. “How about the ingredients?”

“We have a fairly large supply warehouse of magic materials. To send the materials here, it might take an hour or two. Mixing it yourself should take about an hour. Three hours total. About like that,” Vincent said. “So...that's your problem now?”

“You can really make it?”

“Of course.” Vincent nodded and smiled. “From long ago, I was always interested in human characteristics. Ever since learning the potion, I took a special interest in the mannequin potion. The antidote herb is one of my skills now.”

“Serious?” Farrell let out a sigh of relief.

“That's the family's main job. I'm not gonna joke about potions. But, how was the story until you needed an antidote potion? Who gets the mannequin?”

Farrell hesitated a little when mentioning, “My sisters.”