After the sun was up and she was well rested, she left the motel and made her way towards a food stall to get some breakfast. Just as soon as she finished, a small boy,maybe 7 or 8 years old, approached her and looked at her with a confused look. Adina loved children from way back in time. She smiled down at him and murmured,"Hello there kid." The child didn't answer but still was looking at her. She tried again,"Uh.. May I help you in any way?"
The kid finally said,"Who are you?"
"Well, I'm new here. What's your name kiddo?" she asked lightly squishing his chubby cheeks and ruffling his hair.
"My name is Jay and yours?"
"Hey Jay, such a cute name for such a cute boy. Nice to meet you. I'm Adina."
Adina always loved to talk with children and spend time with them because the innocence and purity that you find in a child is surreal. After a while Jay said,"Adina, would you like to come and meet my grandma? I want to tell her that I made a new friend." She smiled and agreed to go with him.
All the way back his home, Jay was bouncing with happiness and excitement and as soon as they reached his home, he ran off to find his grandma. Adina greeted her politely and tried to make some small talk and after that Jay ran off again to meet his friends in the park. Jay's grandma said,"I'm sorry if he troubled you in any way."
Adina replied instantly,"Oh no no grandma, he didn't. He's such a sweet boy."
"Yeah, but sweetie what brought you to this small village of ours?"
"Oh! I... actually I have some work relating to the Simmons." She tried to sound casual.
"As an elder, I should warn you Adina. Simmons are not to be indulged with. Our forefathers and ancestors have warned us to stay away from their territory."
Adina asked confused,"Huh? But why grandma? Why is it so?"
With a calm voice grandma answered,"Sometimes we should just obey and listen to what elders say and not question them or their judgment. Whatever they tell us, its for our own good and well being."
Adina opted to stay quiet and took her leave. She was determined to give it a try. Nothing could stop her now. She made her way towards the dark forest on the other side so that she could find a way to keep an eye on the Simmons. She had no time to loose.
As soon as she thought that, Jay appeared out of nowhere. "Hey Adina, where are you going?" he asked, curiosity laced in his voice.
"The forest. To explore."
" The- the forest?" This time he sounded terrified and unsure.
"Yeah. You wanna join me?"
Immediately his reply came,"NO!"
She was taken aback for a second but then composing herself, she asked,"Why? Is something wrong with the forest?"
"Grandma says that there are dangerous creatures and deadly animals. So, if we don't have a death wish, we shouldn't venture in the forest. You are my friend Adina, don't go." he pleaded her with big puppy eyes.
She took a deep breath and smiled," Ok champ, I won't go. I'm just going for a stroll down the path. You can go home. Okay?"
He smiled and nodded and went back on his way home. Adina sighed deeply, shook her head and went on her way towards the forest.