Edmund rode as fast as he could. He didn't bother looking back since all he had on his mind was how to get home before noon, which could be possible since the sun had just risen.
He placed one hand on his stomach as he rode. He hadn't taken in anything since he left that weird restaurant the previous day, so it was normal for his body to act that way.
He remembered how he would constantly wish to be given some food at the inn but was terrified to request one.
He groaned painfully as he moved farther from the LATIVO inn. He could remember most of his activities in the last six months of his life but never came across a day he slept on hunger. His clothes were also damaged from the quicksand so, he wasn't sure of finding a coin in his pocket. He stretched his hand to the single pocket on his trousers and sighed before removing it without a single coin. Not even a BRONZE coin!!
He noticed a fruit tree not too far from where he was so he tightened his grip and rode faster to it.
He got to the tree soonest and hurriedly came down from his horse. He looked up to the mangoes salivating at the sight of them. Stretching his hands he noticed they were a bit higher than his fingertips so he climbed a bit.
He plucked a mango and stuffed it into his mouth using his left hand to grab another not too far from it. He placed it in his pocket and began to take some more. His pocket became packed with mangoes so he came down.
He sat on the grass, resting his back on the tree and began eating the mangoes.
He had eaten about 5 mangoes but it couldn't satisfy his hunger. He looked up to ascertain that it wasn't noon yet.
He looked at the tree full of ripe mangoes and realized that staying here would only delay his trip. He plucked some mangoes and put them in his pocket. He picked some leaves and placed the mangoes in them trying to place them but they fell as soon as he stood up.
He picked them up and tried again but it was still the same so he stopped.
He counted the mangoes he had been able to put in his pocket but they were just four in number. This wouldn't satisfy him!
He turned to the mangoes he had placed on the leaves and began to eat them. He ate them all before getting back on his horse and riding off.
He got to the path that led to the forest where he nearly drowned and was sceptical about going through that way.
He wished he knew another route since he didn't exactly know where the quicksand was.
What if he fell into one again? Who would come to his rescue?
He brushed off his thoughts and turned right. He noticed a narrow route and decided to take a look at it. He turned back just as he was about to go in after considering that it was better to pass through the forest since he didn't know where this route would lead to. What if he came across wild animals? He didn't think he had ever come across this pathway all his life.
He tightened the reins to his left forcing the horse to turn around.
He began to trot as he went through the bushes. He knew he had to be careful in order not to fall into another death trap. He rode for a while and soon found himself out.
He looked back and was glad that this was more pleasant than his first time. He was glad to finally be out of that circumstance and most of all, he was glad for the gift of his saviours. If it wasn't for them he would be buried under the grounds by now.
He sighed and began trotting joyfully at his second chance at life.
He walked past some women and finally came across where he had eaten with Akima.
"Should I request some food? Would she give me?" He soliloquized as he stopped just in front of the woman's shop.
He thought about it for some time before kicking against it. Based on his previous observation, he wasn't sure she looked like someone who could give a free meal.
He gripped the reins and began to trot a bit faster. He took out a mango and took a bit from its skin. He wasn't comfortable with eating while riding so came down from his horse and dragged it searching for a proper place to tie. He reached for a spot and sat.
He took out another mango and was about to eat up when he felt a palm stretched at his face. He followed the hand and found a cute innocent face. The little boy looked tattered and malnourished.
He gave the boy the mango and watched as he ate it up like a scavenger. He felt his heart melt at the sight of this. Do people suffer this way?
"What's your name little fella?"
The boy stopped his meal and looked up to the man beside him giving an innocent look.
"Chim." He said and continued eating.
"Chim," Edmund said silently and nodded.
"So where is your Dad?" He asked again.
This time the little boy's gaze wasn't as cute as before. He blinked severally as if he were about to cry. He looked at Edmund and said the coldest word ever.
"Dead."
What?! How could he be fatherless at this age? What must have happened? He would have loved to know more but it was obvious that time wouldn't permit him and this kid didn't have the answers.
He sighed and decided to ask the final question to make sure the boy would at least be able to survive this world.
"Where is mummy?" His heart began to beat faster hoping he got a positive answer this time. He hoped she was alive.
"She is at home."
Edmund had mixed feelings this time. He was glad that his mom was alive but was also left wondering why this boy was left to fend for himself even though he had a mother.
He decided to do the best thing he could do. So he placed his hand into his pocket and handed the little boy the remaining mangoes.
At least he had a meal for the night.
Edmund placed his hand on his innocent face and got up from where he sat. He looked at the boy who was eating happily as he walked to get his horse.
He untied it and rode off.