I ran. I ran and ran and ran until I couldn't see my house anymore, my village anymore. I ran through the forest as fast as I could to make sure he couldn't catch me. Even though I was out of breath and my lungs were on fire, I'm sure he wouldn't have broken a sweat chasing after me.
But he didn't chase me.
I felt like total garbage, my head hurting and my legs numb from running. I don't even know how long it's been since I ran away. The sudden rush of deciding to run away was gone, but the thoughts were still fresh in my mind.
Did I make a mistake? Should I turn back?
No. I can't.
Nobody there can accept me, especially now. My brother is the hero, and I'm a nobody who can't compare, so I can't go back. I'll make a life for myself somewhere else, a life where nobody knows who I'm related to. A life without Kai.
I wiped my eyes again, tears soaking my hands as I finally swallowed the lump in my throat. I had to move forward.
I walked through the forest in search of something. A road, a structure, a person or even a monster would do. Anything to get me away from my village. Anything to get my mind off what I said to him. I wish I could apologize, but it's too late now.
I walked some more, my numb legs becoming wobbly beneath me as if they turned into a blue slime. I heaved as I leaned against a tree to catch my breath.
It was already getting dark. Have I already been gone a full day? I could feel the pain in my stomach growing, and my body was so hot I thought I'd burn to death. If only I knew simple magic, I could at least have some water to drink.
I decided to keep going. I made my way to a clearing I spotted in the dark to find a dirt path. Looking left, the path led down a hill and into the forest again. But looking right, I saw it stretching towards large black structures in the distance. If my little amount of knowledge on the world is correct, those structures should be the Dragon Mountains.
As I walked slowly toward those mountains, I noticed a dim light in the distance. As I got closer, I realized it was a small town with only three buildings in it and shabby fencing bordering them. The large building on the right had a sign that read "ROADSIDE INN" in big bold letters. The closest building on the left seemed to be horse stables, and the last building was just a small shack with no label on it.
I approached the inn and gulped. I'd never been to one of these before, and I'd never talked to anyone outside my village, either. I'm hoping whoever's in here is kind and is willing to help me despite my lack of funds.
I gently open the door and peek inside.
A large man with a grey beard and a fur hat on was reading a book in a chair behind the counter, a pipe in his mouth with faint smoke coming out of it. His boots were on the counter as he leaned back in his seat. As I pushed the door open, the bell above me rang loudly and the man looked up in surprise.
"Oh, a visitor?"
I stepped inside fully, looking around at the wooden interior. There wasn't much decoration and the man looked too old to be running an inn all by himself, but he smiled at me as if I was the first customer he'd had in years.
"H-hi, my name is Suri..." I bowed to the man and he squinted his eyes at me.
"Nice to meet'cha, Suri. Apologies, but I don't have the best of eyesight," he says, reaching out his hand to me. I approach the counter and shake it.
"The name's Fredrick, but you oughta call me Fred, kiddo."
"Th-thanks."
"What can I help you with this quiet a'night?"
"I'm looking for a place to sleep... but I don't have any money."
The man makes an "ohh" sound as he scratches his beard.
"That's quite alright. I won't charge ya to stay the night if you give me some company. An old timer like me hasn't seen another person in months."
"R-really? Thank you, sir!"
I felt excited for the first time since I ran from home. I was actually doing my own thing for once, and this man is treating me like any other person. Things might not be so bad-
"Master..."
I heard the soft voice of a girl. I thought I was just hearing things until I looked over at the corner behind the counter and saw a figure I didn't notice before.
It was a demihuman girl who had features of a forest cat; her hair was long and unkempt, a dirt gray color that matched her gray ears protruding from her head. Her face was dirty and she wore only a single bit of torn cloth that covered her body. Around her neck was a stone collar that seemed to be giving her red marks around her neck and shoulders.
I've heard about people like this, but I didn't think it was real... this girl was a slave.
"Master...!" She called out again to the man as she looked at me.
"Quiet, Kia," the man replied, looking back at her in frustration. The girl went silent and she lowered her head. "Sorry bout that, kiddo. That's Kia. She keeps the place clean and keeps me company, but she don't talk much so I mainly have her around for the cleaning, haha."
I stared in silence for a moment before sighing.
"It's alright, she just startled me."
"Those forest cat demihumans are known for their stealth, after all."
"How did you two meet?"
"Sorry, but that's the one thing I won't talk 'bout, kiddo."
After a bit of silence, the man led me up to a room on the next floor.
"Here's where you'll be sleeping. I'll bring you up some breakfast and send you on your way in the morning, alright?"
"Thank you, sir." I bowed once again and opened the room door.
"Kia will clean your room after you leave, so don't worry about any messes ya make."
Once again, I have this strange feeling inside me... this time, it isn't sadness, but anger...
Toward this man.