She was now walking next to the old man, her hands still hugging Jack, as Jack continued to sleep. It was really quiet until Mary broke the silence.
"So.." she said awkwardly "Where are we going?"
The old man looked at her, his eyebrow rose and said "I already told you, you are our new neighbor. How can you forget that in such a short time?"
"Oh," Mary said embarrassed and confused "So...we are going to your village, right?"
"Yes," the old man said and the silence continued.
After walking for what felt like half an hour, Mary's legs began to tremble, as she was getting tired of all the walking. She looked at the old man again and said"Are you sure we're going the right way?" with a doubtful expression.
The old man looked at her and said "What makes you think so?"
"Um...well, we have been walking for a long time and I still haven't seen any signs nor houses."
"Are you doubting me? I have lived here ever since I was born and you're asking me 'Are we going the right way'?"The old man said in an annoyed tone.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to say that"
The old man sighed and mumbled "Young people nowadays."Mary looked at him, speechless as they continued to walk.
After what felt like another 5 minutes, Mary saw tiny visible houses far away. She looked at the old man happily and pointed at them"It's that your village?"
"Yes, that's my village. You sure have good eyesight."The old man said, impressed.
"Thanks, I'll go ahead first!"Mary said and rushed straight to the village.
After getting really close, she saw a sign. It was empty and it had a lot of scratches on it. She approached it and touched it. Suddenly, a thick fog covered her sight. She looked left and right but she couldn't see anything.
The fog is too thick! Is it normal here? I'll try calling the villagers since I'm near the village. She yelled loudly"Is there anyone there?" but there was no reply.
"Throw away that cursed child!"She heard a hoarse voice coming from behind her. She looked back and saw a man with black hair and yellow eyes staring at her.
Mary looked at him and said in a trembling voice" What?"He looked at Mary and raised his hand, pointing at Mary's arms, that was still holding Jack.
"Throw away that cursed child!"He repeated.
"No! Why should I? He's my brother!"She yelled at him.
For some reason, the man smiled sinisterly "very well." he said and he turned away from Mary."Let's see who will regret it in the end."
Mary looked at him, shocked for a while, and yelled"What? Wait! What do you mean!?"
In a split of a second, the fog and the man vanished. Mary was now standing there, confused. A voice called out to her"Young lady, don't go so fast! I'm old and I'm not as active as you!"
She looked at where the voice was coming from and it was from the old man.
"Oh, I'm sorry! "Mary said.
Mary could hear the old man let out a sigh and said"Come on! Let's go into the village."
"Alright! Mary said. Why do strange things keep happening to me? She thought to herself as she entered the village with the old man.