When I came home, that evening the house which the three of us lived was empty. There was no sign of either Alfred or Anne as if they had just completely abandoned me.
All their clothes are nowhere to be found, their bed was neatly tidied up the closet was emptied out, all their precious belongings are nowhere to be found as well. As if, they just disappeared and left me behind.
I was flustered and couldn't move from my spot, I couldn't muster a word to describe this awful feeling inside me. Like swirling and twisting my stomach to a point where I covered my mouth to prevent myself from puking.
'Why. why. why. why. why.'
My face turned gloomy, my eyes sunken and out of habit, I bit the nail on my thumb.
"Did they leave me all because of what happened that night?"-Veronica.
I frantically search the whole one-story house but there was no sign of them at all. The empty room made my body shiver, I let out a peal of griming laughter as if I lost my sanity for a moment.
That's when I noticed a note sticking out of the cupboard, I took it out it was a familiar handwritten note that Alfred wrote exclusively for me, although the writing was a bit clumsy the words themselves made my heartache as I read deeper into it I started to cry.
'Dearest Vernon;
I, Alfred, Didn't have the courage to ever tell you about my plan on becoming a mercenary; I wish I could have told you sooner but I got confused and I couldn't bear myself to tell you after what happened to us that night. Anne knew about my plan of leaving the village I urge her not to tell you all about it, the plan was for me to leave for another country for about 3 or 4 years and come back for you and Anne. Howard, Miley, and Conner are with me. So, if you could wait for me I would like for us to become lovers, would that be okay? If not, then I'll respect your decision otherwise I will not take any other woman except you. This is hard for me to leave you behind and not tell you personally but I swear to you that my heart will always belong to you, My lady.
Sincerely yours;
Alfred xxx
For a brief moment, I lost all my reasoning in life. I plummeted onto the cold pavement and shrunk from sheer embarrassment and guilt.
'What? what? H-He like me... on top of that he wants us to become lovers?'
I crumpled the note and threw it on the ground as my tears keep accumulating in my eyes and flowing against my will.
***Alfred's POV***
The thought of leaving her behind was always lingering deep within me all those emotions riling up inside of me. I couldn't be bothered by anything other than imagining her reaction when she read my note.
'Was I too straightforward? Did she even find the note that I left for her?'
The sound of heavy footsteps filled the musky streets of Albon people are busily doing their work and errands as usual. Vendors shout from left to right, children running around, drunkards singing and laughing with each other, customers flocking from one store to another, and performers doing shows on the side of the road was the picturesque background of this bustling city.
Named after a famous war hero, Albion Ataraxia, the people of this city adored and love their lord so much that they erected a statue of him on the center of the plaza where it still stands today.
Albon is famous for its swordplay and renowned mercenaries, one famous guild that was still standing today is the very first cooperative that was founded since the last subjugation of the Netherlanders the name of that famous guild was "Naroasa" named after a demon that the first founders killed and that is the guild that recruited me and my friends.
It took us 15 days to get to Albon from Reading, the road wasn't the problem but the transportation itself was hard. These days coachmen are strictly expensive, no wonder only the elites could afford such transportation.
Meanwhile, Howard and Conner were sitting on the threshold discussing our financial situation whether we would get lodging or not. I patted Howard's back and smiled nonchalantly at him pondering on how to budget our money and spend less for another month or so.
"Oh, man! Conner, do you think we could survive with 30 francs for the next month?"-Howard.
"Ugh, I'm not mentally prepared for this..."-Conner.
"...Calm down, It's plausible for us if we cut our expenses, we just need not be picky to survive." Alfred.
"It so easy for you to say, Alfred... well at this rate we might end up foraging for our food in the forest for at least a month..."- Conner.
Howard continued to worry about their daily needs while Conner was just concerned about whether they could eat 2 times a day at the very least. While Miley the only female in their group disappeared and went to explore the city streets alone.
'In any case, I'm relieved that the guild itself has lodgings for new recruits... I'll just hide these facts for now.'
Night came and before I knew it we were at the tavern beside the guild house drinking with the other members. The look on their faces when I told them about the free lodging and food was funny that it made me tear up. Miley ended up spending her money on such trivial things that she had an earful of lectures from Howard as well as from me.
"Hey, speaking of our comradery, have you noticed the air in here?"- Miley.
"You don't need to point it out, it's quite obvious from their sharp stares, Miley"- Conner.
"Let's not talk about it, instead let's just enjoy the night and this delicious ale we're drinking!"- Alfred.
After which we retreated for the night, Miley and Howard were quite drunk while Conner was a little bit tipsy but still able to handle himself.
I was drunk myself but not to the extent of feeling being light head and tipsy, I plopped onto the bed face first trying to close my eyes but for some reason whenever I close my eyes the memory of that night keeps haunting me.
My face would turn red just from remembering the experience I felt that night, the way her skin touch mine was something I can't get over it, and her long emerald green hair draping down her nape to my chest and the way she kissed me was something I longed for.
'Is this what it feels like to yearn for someone? Just wait for me... Vernon, I'll do everything to make you proud of me!'
I closed my eyes and slumber away, the silence lullabied me to sleep. A new day awaits us...
***
Morning came and I woke up as usual but this time it was entirely different. The house that used to be rowdy in the morning was silent the only noise I could hear was the chirping of the birds and the swaying of the trees.
I rub my eyes and pinch myself to think I'm still dreaming but it wasn't the case. Although, I knew from the beginning that they both have their own goals to achieve but this loneliness, I still can't get used to it.
'from the beginning, I don't expect too much from them especially Alfred.'
"...."
A tapping sound could be heard outside of my room as if someone was impatiently waiting for me to wake up.
'Who might that be? Is it Anne, perhaps? maybe she heard about me being alone and she hurriedly came here to visit me...'
I was overjoyed to think maybe Anne visited me at this time to console me. I hurriedly jumped out of my bed and opened the door expecting it was Anne but I was surprised to see an unfamiliar face.
"Anne! is that you? I was---" Veronica.
I was flustered for a second seeing it wasn't Anne, It was a stranger a woman wearing a fancy fur coat and a luxurious dress while standing behind her was a tall, average-looking man wearing a robe.
"W-Who are you! and why did you trespass in my dwelling?"- Veronica.
The strange woman glanced at me suspiciously like she was assessing me for some reason. The man let out a sigh as if he was quite disappointed after seeing me. I clench my fist and shouted at them, but no response whatsoever.
"Phil... About those presents, can you bring them here it seems that we found her at last, but I feel this would take a while to explain?"- Madam Arosa.
This was the beginning of my journey to a frightening world of debauchery, self-exploitation, solicitation, and perversion. A world which I couldn't escape from... if only I didn't take her hand my life would have turned up differently.