The Way Back Home's

Brave Man's

Just like the road that uncle took this morning, Farrell arrived at the small town through the portal. Remy doesn't know where they're going. He followed wherever Farrell went. Both of them were silent in the twilight sun. The color is a bit faded behind the gray sky. After quite a long walk, they finally arrived in front of the Bliss and Tea Room. Farrell looked at the building for a moment and turned away.

“Wait,” sahut Remy. “Not Milo and Libby are here. Where are you going?”

“Prison.”

“Pe— Prison?” Remy repeated the word. Farrell. He too hurried to follow. “Prison? Prison where sir Alan?”

Farrell did not answer. His feet continued to step towards another portal then arrived at the capital. Remy stayed with him and did not dare to ask anything. Farrell's face showed no emotion. His face tends to pale. Just as pale as the color of the moon. There was no snow in the capital, only a starless night sky.

The prison officer let out a lazy sigh when he saw Farrell coming there. “You're Alan Eden's son, huh? The guards are talking about you, you know. Unfortunately, there are no hours of night visits,” he said was not friendly.

Farrell opened his mouth to answer, but not a word came out.

Remy was about to defend Farrell again, unfortunately he didn't know what to say. He doesn't like breaking rules and dealing with law enforcement anyway.

“Said no hours of nightly visits!” the officer spoke louder.

“Please..” just one word it made it out of him.

Looking at Farrell's face, the officer sighed again. He glanced at the other fellow officers who were also in the room. When they nodded, he spoke. “OK. Just for a minute, yeah. Ten minutes, as usual. Don't ask for more. Good thing the jailer is gone, otherwise I would have had a scolding.” The officer came out of the room. When he saw Remy walking behind Farrell, he immediately said, “One person only. You wait there!”

Remy sat in the waiting room while the officer escorted Farrell.

“This time I will wait at the end of the hall. If the jailer comes, you must leave immediately. Understood it? I don't want to be sanctioned.” The guard stepped to the end of the turn before the passageway.

Alan Eden appeared in front of Farrell. Both of them were silent for at least a minute. Alan reached out his hand touching the glass. He saw his son just looking down. “Farrell,” said. “Farrell, son. Forgive dad. Ii'm sorry. Farrell... Farrell, I'm sorry.” That's all he can get out.

Farrell raised his head and shook his head. Just like father, Farrell was also only able to say, “No. I'm sorry.”

Alan saw Farrell's face start to turn red. He knows that reaction. The reaction Farrell once made when he broke his antique lamp. Fear, guilt, sadness, confusion. Everything mixed into one. “Farrell, what happened?”

“I... make things even more chaotic.” Farrell's throat began to hurt. He endured the grief and all his emotions with all his might. His words began to shake. “I managed to help Milo and Libby. But... But, now uncle instead catch mom... I'm sorry.”.

Alan chose silence even though his eyes were wide open. He looked at his son.

Farrell tried to continue. “I.. I don't know what to do. I thought after helping Milo and Libby, things would go better. But. turns out I failed. I can't defend Eden’s Lodge. Now my mother is involved. Denise even poisoned mom. Me... I...”

In the end, Farrell was only able to ask. “Can I still call you dad?”

Instead of answering, Alan Eden turned his gaze to the officer.

Farrell lowered his head. Could it be that what he was asking for was too excessive? Farrell recalls a lifetime without the guidance of father or mother. He always thought he was mature and independent. Without the presence of father and mother, he is able to stand alone. However, at this time all his thoughts were proven wrong. The matter of pressing him back to the last bastion of defense. Families. He needs his father, mother, and two younger siblings. Farrell won't lose them.

A pair of hands grabbed Farrell's neck. He fell into the arms of the man he had longed for. Dad held her tight. There are no more glass walls between them.

“Farrell... Farrell..” Father called his name repeatedly. “Farrell.. You are my son and will always be my son. I'm sorry for hiding everything from you. It was all because I was afraid that you would leave after knowing the truth. You can call me Dad and that's the only call I'll ever get from you... Farrell, my son.”

“I'm sorry, dad..” Farrell whispered in dad's arms.

There was no more pain in Farrell's throat. He gave up and let his tears flow. Farrell recalled when father hugged her as a child. The hug he got after admitting a mistake. A hug full of forgiveness and affection. A hug that drives away fear and guilt. The hug is still the same. Warm and awaken the aroma of longing is so strong.

Farrell doesn't know how long he's sobbing in dad's arms. “Sorry..”

“Farrell, I should be the one apologizing. It happened because of my selfishness. I shouldn't have involved you. I wouldn't trade my family for anything. Even with Eden’s Lodge though.” Dad took off a hug, saw his son's face. The face was red and filled with sadness. Dad held onto Farrell's shoulders and looked him in the eye. “You know what the name Farrell means? Brave men.”

Farrell could not help himself from smiling amusedly. “Funny to hear that when I cry in front of you, dad.” Farrell felt a tear still coming down his cheek as he spoke.

Dad smiled too. “Crying doesn't make you weak. That's proof that you've fought against danger. You're a lot bolder and a lot stronger than you think, Farrell. Don'tbeafraid. Father supports all your decisions.”

“Even if you have to hand over Eden’s Lodge?”

“Yes! Yep! Your mother, Libby, Milo, and you are worth more than that inn. I built it to make a living for you. It's no use if I have Eden’s Lodge but lose you guys. Let your uncle and that woman get Eden’s Lodge. We can start all over again from the beginning. Together. As one family. No more lies.”

“Family. Last bastion.”

“True. That's what your grandfather always said.”

Farrell nodded. “I understand. Thank you, father.”

At the end of the conversation, Alan asked his son to promise. “Farrell, you must return safely. Promise me!”