Moving through the somewhat forgotten village, I realized that I'd become all too familiar with the half-standing homes, tattered in dust and debris due to weathering and poor upkeep from being unattended. Quiet roads which used to be home to travelers who would bring stories to the curious children now stood barren as if people never existed here.

Well, as far as I've been told. 

Mother used to tell stories before bed of how important the village, our village, used to be. How everyone would come together to help one another, sharing home recipes for meals, and crops, even the men would spar together and share war stories. The few who remained were people who couldn’t afford to leave or those who simply refused to. Keeping a feverish pace, I traversed past all the homes with people watching me, not daring to show their faces as they lurked in the shadows.

I knew If given the opportunity, I'd take Mother as far away from this barren land as soon as possible. Now wasn't the time to think about the future, but I couldn't resist after looking over my shoulder and spotted someone standing out in the open. Pursuing my curiosity, I paused in my tracks. It's the first time that I've seen anyone younger than me in a while. Cupping my eyes from the debris, I peered in on the child's appearance who stood unfocused, staring into the dust without life. Covered In dirt with hair unkept, scratches and bruises surrounded them with only a tattered gown to cover itself. As we stood motionless, you could say that time stayed there with us because longer could I feel the breeze brushing along my arms or hair for that matter. I wanted to reach out, but the sensation left me there in a paralyzed state.

Looking around, I realized that I was familiar with the area. I wasn't too far away from home, but still, one would recognize someone who lived fairly close by. 

Death will come knocking for those who wait. A sudden but soft voice in my head left me startled, focusing back on the child whose eyes were now holding an amethyst glow, pinning me in their sight. The ancestors of Drelan lay wait for your beckoning call. 

"Who are...!" Many questions ran rampant in my head but were cut off just as fast by the air suddenly ripping violently, bringing me to my senses and cutting the connection with the child as well. I failed to gather my wits in time to finish my sentence when a woman appeared from the home that the child was standing in front of. Without acknowledging my presence first, she moved swiftly, snatching the now flailing but crying child heading back into their home. The woman picked up her pace as she placed her eyes on me, nearly bearing her teeth until they were both no longer able to be seen. I wanted to say something to her, but it seemed it wasn’t in her interests. 

After the encounter, I made a mental note as to what the child said, but what I couldn't figure out was how it did. I figured I'd bring it up with Mr. Leon during my next lesson after I try to find the answers within my book. I took a deep breath and wrapped my mother's scruffy coat around me tighter, covering my face within to keep the dust out of my eyes before continuing my brief path back home. Actually, could one even call anything here that?

Returning to my senses, I stood motionless before my broken down shack—which I called home—thinking back to that woman and child. Although they were only a little way down the path, I couldn’t bring myself to remember who they were. Surely anyone who lives that close to someone would remember their neighbor…right? Or maybe I never paid them any attention before? The encounter left me distraught and without answers, I wouldn't be satisfied with the results no matter how bizarre it was. 

Shaking my head, I inhaled sharply as I opened the tattered door. I must’ve been standing on the other side for some time now because my mother who sat near the fire at the center of the room stared at me piercingly with her arms crossed. “Just how long were you planning to stare at me through the door? A bit rude I’d say.” Her bittersweet smile always brightened the room-or what was left of it-no matter where we were. "I do believe I taught you better than that, Nero."