I swing the door open jumping out of it, "Aladdin! Welcome- oh." I pause, taking in the situation in front of me. It's one of the people I least expected to see right now, or simply ever. He's dressed nicely, and when I glance down I notice he's missing the usual chains at his feet. So he's free: that meant she was too. I let out a sigh, welcoming him in. After all, I don't have anything against him. I was worried though, because I was back to the reality that Aladdin wasn't here. Was he ever going to come back? If they were here, then where was he?
I lead the boy up the stairs and through the room until I reach somewhere we could talk in private. It was quite embarrassing though as we passed the table full of food, the annoying merchant, and a variety of women dancing in skimpy outfits. I could feel him silently judging me from behind. He still hadn't said a word to me yet either, only making me assume what he was thinking. Why had he come to see me? Once we were alone though he spoke up: "Why did you use part of your wealth to free the mansion slaves?"
I look out over the city from the window, "I thought that it's what.. he would have done." He nods, also remembering Aladdin. Who wouldn't? He just had this spirit about him.
"All the slaves from the mansion are really grateful to you. None of us ever could have had hoped to be free." I nod. I guess they were, but I didn't really know any of them except the three I met in the dungeon.
"What have you been doing since you got back?" I ask curiously.
"I'm currently being paid to work for the new lord. He's a good man.." I'm glad to hear that, but I wasn't sure what to say. The air was quite awkward between us. Maybe because I didn't really know this boy.
"Is that so? Well.. have you decided what you will do? You know.. with the future. It's yours now." He pauses, deep in thought. But when our eyes finally met, he has a look of determination.
"I'll return home. That was the final wish of the man who saved my life. Who told me.. that I could be free.. and that I was a person who could be free without regrets from what I'd done as a slave, or the things I didn't do." He chokes up on the last part. I guess we all had something we regretted. But I was in no position to ask him what that was for him.
"I understand," I reply, because I did. I wouldn't share my regrets with even my closest friend, though I desperately wanted to. He wasn't here to listen. "I still need to make a decision." And I had sounded so sure in the dungeon. But now that I was alone, I wasn't so sure anymore. I had everything I thought I needed, but it wasn't what I expected. At least he wasn't alone. He escaped slavery and that dungeon with that girl. And now they were free and together. While I.. I still was waiting here for my friend. Probably my only friend.. "What about that cute girl? Are you going to take her with you?" I force a smile, trying to be happy for him. He looks confused though. "You know, to your homeland."
"Actually," he looks down at his feet, "she hasn't come back."
"Huh?" I perk up at his words.
"That's the reason I came to see you. I thought you might know where she's at." He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly as if embarrassed. I stare at him in disbelief. I knew he would never have come to see me without some crazy reason. But I'd been foolish enough to think it was to thank me. "You see, since we left the dungeon I haven't seen her. But I thought that she would at least try to find me. So I thought if I found you and that boy.. I might find her too."
"Aladdin.. didn't come back either. But he can't be dead. I'm sure they're alive somewhere. We'll each find them." He nods, not saying another word. I wonder why neither of them are here, but after hearing this I know I must find him. Besides he wouldn't want me waiting here moping. "Thank you, Morgin. It was a pleasure to get to talk to you. Take care!" And off he went. I went straight to preparing to leave though.