The Way Back Home's

Alone

Vincent was silent for a moment. He folded his hands to the front of his chest. After taking a deep breath and choosing a word, he just spoke. “It sounds like there's a serious problem in your family. Don't worry, I won't ask further. By the way, if you really want to order the antidote potion, I need a guarantee.”

“Awarranty?”

“Regulation says we can only take the materials from the warehouse and concoct them after getting the down payment or guarantee. That kind of.”

Farrell looked back. He's got savings in the bank and a car parked on the front of Eden’s Lodge. However, this second, he carried nothing but himself and a phone whose battery had run out. “In my opinion, the currency here is different from money in the other world, right ‘kan?”

Vincent shakes. “Not a problem. Elioscavea moves in two worlds. The upper world and the lower world. I mean the normal world and the magic world. So, we accept payment in the form of any currency, gold, precious stones, everything.”

“You said you wanted to offer cooperation with Eden’s Lodge. What kind of cooperation is it?”

“Yes, maybe less appropriate if it is said as cooperation. We are planning to open a shop in the city. Maybe it's a small town, but the flow from outside the city is quite a lot. Just look at the number of lodgings here. After all there were also some rare materials that only grew here. The problem is, we do not have a portal even though we ourselves have to go back and forth from one place to another. Therefore, I would like to speak to the owner of Eden’s Lodge for a special price. I thought we would stay there often.”

“How about I help you get a special price? Exchange with antidote potions.”

“Interesting. How do you help me?”

Farrell now feels he has no choice but to tell Vincent everything. “My uncle, Albert Eden, tried to sell the inn to a woman named Denise without permission from the family. To make matters worse, he poisoned my two sisters to obey all his orders. If you help me free my brother, I will find any way for that special price.”

“I can see it. Now you're looking for a way to get an antidote. Family man, eh?”

“I—” Farrell is unable to continue his sentence.

Vincent reached out his hand. “I think we agreed?”

Farrell shook his hand. “Ya.”

“I need to know the composition of the mannequin herb used. You have a sample of the herb?”

“No, better. I already have a list of his compositions.” Farrell is grateful he still keeps the papers Hendrick wrote.

Vincent accepted and started reading them one by one. He glanced at Farrell and returned on the paper. A few times before I spoke again. “This meal is not so difficult. I'm sure all the antidotes are in the stockroom. Give me four hours. At dawn, the antidote is already in your hands.”

　

　

Farrell doesn't know what he's thinking when he talks to Vincent. Just a moment ago, he thought he was not part of the Eden family and wanted to leave it. However, the next few moments he talked to Vincent and asked for an antidote. Vincent even promised to give the potion to him in this place tomorrow.

Again, Farrell sat in the garden chair. His gaze glared into the night sky. His hand was still holding onto the potion Vincent had given him. He glanced at the potion and tried it. The herb tasted like cherry with a slight lemon flavor and a mint smell. He took a sip for a moment. Her body began to feel warmer. His mind also began to clear up. Maybe he was too rude to me a moment ago. He had already let his emotions overflow and left just like that. Farrell is thinking of returning.

As he stepped into the city, he saw a white owl flying low above him. Gizmos. The bird rotated and disappeared at the front crossroad. Soon, Farrell sees Gizmo back with Christo running to her.

“Where have you been?” Christo asked, still panting.

“You made me anxious—”

“Sorry,” sahut Farrel. “I was too emotional earlier. I left without saying anything to you. I went to my father and got angry with him. Now I feel very bad.”

“Yes, I know. I'm also from your father's place. He's worried half dead.”

Farrell doesn't know if he's worth worrying about people he doesn't have a blood relationship with. Although on one side Farrell was happy, on the other he felt bad. “I just still can't accept the fact that. I don't want to admit everything. It pisses me off. How hard is it to tell the truth?”

“Very difficult.”

“You don't think he wants to say it out of fear I'll run?”

“Yes. And you just ran away from him. You made her fear come true. Congratulations.”

Farrell fell silent. He didn't know what to react to Christo's jokes.

Christo patted her shoulder, “Follow me!”

“Where?”

“Good in the field.”

　

　

Farrell doesn't know why he's taking it for granted. He followed Christo walking out of the city. They walked down the path, entered the forest, and descended the hills. Farrell no longer saw any settlements or signs of human life around him anymore. There were trees and snow all around. His breathing grew heavier and thin smoke poked out every time he exhaled.

GRDRR…

Suddenly, Farell stopped. A snarling sound gripped him from the front. Not only that, Farrell realized he was alone. He turned his head and looked again but could not find Christo nearby.

“Christo!” He tried to call Christo but got no answer. His voice seemed to be swallowed by the darkness of the night. Instead, the sound of the growl even hardened. Then, another growling sound was heard. Their voices seem to speak.

Farrell wasn't sure if he should go forward. He swept around it in one look. The moon was shining bright enough to help her see. But, it wasn't bright enough to help him keep an eye on the next few meters. He knew there was danger lurking nearby. Wolfs. Farrell recognized their voices. He also chose to step back while remaining aware of the surrounding conditions.

“Christo?” Still no answer.

Shortly after, Farrell saw something moving in front. The shadow is like a dog but bigger. The wolf! Not one, not two. There are at least five or more. Farrell gasps. Without much thought, Farrell turned around and started running. He did not dare to look back. But from his steps, Farrell knew the wolves were adults. They can take him alive.

Farrell ran and ran without direction. He's blind in the woods, doesn't know where to go. He can only run. At one point, his feet hit something big. Farrell lost his balance, fell in the cold snow, and slipped down the valley without stopping.