Jamie slowly ate his soup as his mother began tending to their home.
Jamie watched his mother clean their house, even though it would only get dirty after a few hours. Thanks to the dirt ground and suffocating dirt air.
'Alright, now that I've more or less calmed down. I need to think of what to do.'
"Mom, in what country do we live in?" Jamie decided to probe out information from his supposed mother.
"What country? Mm...I think your father said that we live in the country of the Crimson Flame Eagle."
'...Crimson Flame Eagle? Who are you trying to trick? Are you insulting my intelligence, woman?'
"Ma, don't joke around. I seriously want to know." He held back his urge to roll his eyes.
"I am. That's what your father told me. And that's not an uncommon name. Your father also told me that our allied kingdoms have similar names."
'Seriously? Either my "father" likes to make fun of ma's ignorance or...maybe they actually are named that.'
'Wait, kingdoms..? KINGDOMS. And not just one but apparently there are multiple!?'
'Could it be... That I'm now living in the past?! That-that makes sense. No wonder the air feels purer.'
"Honey, are you okay?" Jamie was snapped out of his debacle after hearing his mother's voice.
"Yeah, sorry."
"Are you sure? You were pouting and making a serious face." His mother asked before she seemed to remember something.
"Oh yeah! How is your relationship with Mia going?" She asked with a small smile
"Mia?"
'Who the fuck?..'
"Ah...it's going well ma." He said quietly, quickly finishing the rest of his meal.
"Going well.., no, that's not what I'm asking Mr., I'm asking if you've already asked her to marry you!" She sighed as she showed a teasing smile
"Marriage?! When did I say I was going to marry someone?!"
"Hah? Yesterday, you were so enthusiastic about proposing marriage. You kept muttering under your breath 'Mia, Will you be mine fo eva!!' Hahaha" She acted serious when she impersonated Jamie, before bursting into giggles. Finding her little boy's courageous act hilarious.
Despite not being the one she was referring to, he still felt his face burn, seeing her find amusement in his predecessor's determination.
'Ugh, kids are so cringe.'
Amanda laughed for a good while, giggling even more when she saw his embarrassed expression.
She stopped laughing soon after, taking his dirty dish. She then picked Jamie up, much to his protest.
After lying him down on the thin bedsheets used as a makeshift bed. She covered him in another much thicker sheet. And gave him a kiss on the forehead, wishing him a good night.
Although Jamie had only awoken an hour or two ago, his body felt tired and sleepy. It didn't take him long before he entered sandman's realm.
***
Jamie woke up after the sun shone on his face. He slowly sat up and looked at his surroundings.
'So this wasn't a dream.'
Jamie was still unsure if he were actually reborn. However, now he's absolutely sure. After all, sleeping within a dream is impossible. This isn't inception.
"I have been given another chance at life, I am no longer Samuel Johanna. I am now, Jamie."
He uncovered himself. Which took him longer than he'd like to admit.
'Jeez, why did she wrap me up like a bean burrito?'
He got up and walked outside. The place was, beautiful actually, more beautiful than he thought.
Although the houses are shabby, and everyone from the elderly to the children are wearing rags. It still felt charming in a way.
"Johnson!!" Jamie heard a child's voice coming from his side.
He turned and saw a kid around 9-8 years old. He had brown skin and black eyes. From his glare, Jamie could tell he was the competitive brash sort.
"Hm? Who are you?" He looked at him in bewilderment.
"And the names Jamie, not Johnson. Get it right, brat!" Jamie stated in contempt
"Hagh!?" The boy looked at him in anger, veins popping out of his forehead.
"Y-you!"
"You-you, what?! You got brain damage too?"
"Damn you!!" He was about to take a step forward, when
"Okay, okay, break it up." Another kid walked up from behind him.
"Why do you always got a start a fight, huh Zack?" The new boy said
He had brown skin that shined under the sunlight. His hair was straight and thin. So was his body, most likely from malnutrition.
The first boy, Zack, snorted as he kicked the ground.
"Arguing ain't your strong suit, eh, big boy." Jamie poked
He very visibly got angry again. He pointed at Jamie and announced.
"Alright! You've got it now! I challenge you, John!!"
"Challenge me? I refuse."
"Hah- Huh? You can do that?" He was about to laughed, but his face turned blank after hearing Jamie's answer.
"Why not?"
"Uh..." Zacks brain seemed to overheat as he seemed to not expect such a response.
"Hahahaha!" The thin boy started laughing as he pointed towards Zacks dumbfounded expression.
"Alright, enough fun. Let's go meet up with everyone else." He put his arm on Zacks shoulder, holding back his laughter.
"You!" Zack then shifted his fury to the boy, his expression was red from embarrassment.
"What? You want to challenge me now? Well, I also refuse!" The boy haughtily refused
Zack grunted before leaving the boys' grasp. Marching his way down the road.
"Haha!" The boy seemed to like making fun of Zack as he laughed before signalling Jamie to follow him.
Jamie wasn't very interested in playing with them, but then again it's not like he has anything else to do.
***
The trio went through the forest. After walking for a bit they reach a hill where many sheep's were visible on.
"Guys!" A girls voice sounded after they reached the peak.
***
Authors Note: Hey, guys! Author here, I hope you guys are at least interested in the story. I know, the story's a little slow and boring but I promise that it'll get better. Please just wait at least until chapter 10 before dropping this. Thank you!