Chapter 5.

After the next day arrived, Annabella performed her normal routine of making soup for mother, kissing mother goodbye, playing the ball toss game with her friends, and shopping for groceries at the market. With a pocket full of coins, she shopped for a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, breads, soups, and desserts. Annabella approached the last table, Mister Michael's shop. “Hello, Annabella, he said. “You seem so much happier today.”

“Yes, I am. I am so happy to finally have a full basket of goods. Mother will be happy to see the variety of foods I have selected. I am sure it will make her feel better.”

“I'm sure it will, as well.”

“Do you have a loaf of white bread and a bucket of mushroom soup in stock.”

“Yes, I do,” Mister Michael confirmed.

He placed the bread and soup in her basket, and Annabella pulled out the last of the coins from her pocket and handed it to Mister Michael. The coins were imprinted with claw marks and shined brighter than any other coins that he usually receives, but he recognized them.

“Where did you get these coins from?” Mister Michael asked the question in a serious tone.

“A friend gave them to me,” Annabella replied.

“Unfortunately, I don't think one of your friends would have given you these type of coins. These coins are imprinted with claw markings and shine brighter than the coins of Rose Village.”

“I don't understand.”

“These coins are from Destiny Nation. No one from our town would dare enter onto that territory, not even for a shiny gold coin.”

“How do you know that?”

“The only person that ever gave me one of these coins for a cup of soup was a woman, a very beautiful woman wearing a blue, dusted maiden dress. I gave her the soup, and we bid farewell as she walked away from my shop. Later that night, family homes that lived near the Mongrol Forest, claimed they heard the screams of a woman. They grouped up together, and went outside to look, but they only saw the darkness of the night. The very next day, her only son, her grandmother, and some volunteers went looking for her, but she was nowhere to be found.”

“Oh my goodness. Hopefully, one day she will be found.”

Mister Michael replied, “I hope so too, and I hope that you are not roaming anywhere where you should not be roaming, especially without your mother Tracy.”

Mister Michael placed the bread and soup into Annabella's basket, and handed her back the coins. He said, “I do not want your coins. I just want for you to be safe.” Annabella thanked Mister Micha for his generosity, and they bid farewell to each other. Annabella walked home, while it was still the morning. Annabella approached her coughing and sickly mother, with the basket full of goods. Mother replied in a surprised manner, “Oh my, Annabella! Has everyone in town been this generous to us. They still have to eat and feed their families as well. There is only so much that our small town has. How did you afford all of these goods?”

Annabella replied, “a kind friend gave me some golden coins, after hearing my stomach growl. He wanted both of us to eat well!”

Filled with curiosity, Mother questioned Annabella, “...a kind friend? Do I know this kind friend?”

“Not yet,” Annabella said with a grin on her face. “You'll get to meet him, eventually!”

“When?”

“Once you get to feeling better…”

“Please, don't tell me you already have the butterflies for a boy in town. You're only fifteen. I just want us to spend lots of time together, before you grow up… Reading fairytale stories together, eating hot meals together, and shopping in the market together... Does he make your palms red.”

“I don't know?”

Mother replied, “Good! Tell your friend I said thank you. Now, let's eat!"

Annabella prepared a plate of steamed vegetables for her and Mother. They ate together. Once, Mother coughed and coughed until she took her evening nap, Annabella left out the front door and made her way back into the Mongrol forest.

Standing by the entrance, Abe had a huge smile on his face.

“Why do you wear the face of an ecstatic man,” Annabella said.

“I am very pleased to see you again.”

“So, what else do you know about my father?”

Abe took Annabella's right hand and walked her to a large, ground-level tree house, decorated with sparkling roses and swirled tree limbs. “It's beautiful,” she said. “Do you live here?”

Abe responded, “yes!... for lots and lots of years!”

They walked inside. The interior was even more beautiful with wooden finishings, sculpted knick knacks, and the smell of savory food. There was a huge table, full of all the mesmerizing delicacies Annabella and her stomach could have ever imagined. 

"I cooked for you! It is a feast for a royal. I will tell you more about your father, over a scrumptious meal,” Abe said in a smooth voice.

Annabella stuffed her face with cheese pasta, steamed vegetable soup, garlic bread, apple pie, strawberry croissants, lemon cake, caramel chocolates, and warm sweet apple cider. Abe began telling a story:

“A little over fifteen years ago, King Henry Pomper the 17th threw out his first wife and only child, you I suppose… And he literally meant it. The man stupidly made a deal with an evil warlock, local to the town. He traded his skin for fur, so that he could have access to as many servants as he would like. That day, Destiny Nation would no longer be a community for the people, but a land of terror for all who stepped foot there. After, he entered back into his castle, letters were written and delivered to every home in town. It was an invitation to a grand ball at the East Region Castle, the king's castle. Many traveled by horse or carriage. There was food, music, and dancing. Ladies wore their best dresses and gentlemen wore their best suits. It was a night to remember. Couples twirled on the dancefloor, kids played rounds of the ball toss game, and peasants stuffed their stomachs for hours at the food tables. Once, the clock struck 10:00 pm, everyone was unrecognizable, including the king. King Henry had transformed into a beast due to his prior agreement with the evil warlock, and all of the party guests had transformed into mongrols. Now, they spend their days stealing the finest emboidered garments and the most delicious foods from neighboring kingdoms and serving it to the king, but sometimes keeping it for themselves. They also spend their days imprinting the shiniest golden coins, and laying at at the feet of King Henry. While some people became mongrols, those that did not attend the grand ball that night were forced into daily unpaid labor, by the brutal force of the king’s mongrol servants and military soldiers. Today, it is still a nightmare.”

Once Abe was done telling the story, Annabella's eyes filled with tears. “Please, don't cry,” Abe said. That beast is not worth your tears.” Annabella continued crying. I have something that will make you feel better.” Abe entered into a room, grabbed a beautiful pink dress, and handed it to Annabella. “I sewed it for you,” he said.

Annabella found the changing room, and walked inside. Once she walked out of the room, and she looked in the nearby mirror with a grin on her face. “Garments for a royal,” Abe said. He looked at her, as if she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

Annabella replied, “I appreciate your kindness, Abe, but I do not feel happiness at this very moment… I know that I am living in poverty, because of my father, but I never knew the extent to how evil he could actually be. Everyday, when I am walking around in town, I imagine what it would be like to live an amazing and fulfilling life, with both my mother and father.”

Abe, replied, “people are not always what you want them to be. Sometimes, we just have to accept that.”

“I wish all people were good, with love in their hearts and kindness in their souls!”

“That's just a wish. It's not reality.”

Annabella rushed out the door.

Abe shouted, “ANNABELLA!”

Annabella quickly ran out of the forest crying. All of the people in town witnessed her tears falling, until she found her way home.