Leaving footprints in the snow, a hooded man draped in a large coat walked out of the frozen forest. He used his stick to navigate the slippery terrain illuminated by the sun's soft glow in this first month of the year.
His smile broadened as he looked at the river and the poor houses behind it. Nothing seemed to have changed since he left seven years ago. Gradually, he walked towards the village, fighting against the chilly winds as the muffled sound of his steps announced his return.
After an hour, his eyes brightened as he stood before the house closest to the river and knocked on the door. Yet, after five minutes, no one came to open. A frown etched itself on his hooded face. "Where is she?" He muttered, raising his right leg and smashing it with a mighty kick, causing it to fly out of its hinges.
As the door collapsed, revealing the dusty interior, his frown deepened. Cobwebs adorned every corner, hinting at months of neglect. A bad feeling took root in his heart. Hurriedly, he checked the other rooms, only to find them in the same state.
Simultaneously, alarmed by the crashing sound, the neighbors gathered in the street, conversing loudly to figure out what had happened while gazing curiously at the house.
Soon, under the morning's light, they saw the hooded man slowly emerge and walk towards them, his coat fluttering in the wintry wind and his obscured face menacing. Their chatter became louder as they wondered what the traveler wanted in their poor neighborhood and why he chose this empty home when they heard his frustrated voice.
"Where are the woman and her baby?"
Startled by his sudden question but seeing an opportunity, the village's poor wretches smiled slyly at each other before a middle-aged man answered, "I would gladly tell you everything I know about them. Sadly, my memory is not as good as it used to be without stimulation. Hehe."
"Catch." The man answered, throwing a few coins at him, unbothered by the price.
"I remember she left about six months ago," he continued, his voice laced with feigned innocence. "But where she went after that... Well, my memory needs more stimulation."
The hooded man's eyes narrowed, a flicker of amusement dancing in their depths. "Is that so?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "After seven years, it seems you've conveniently forgotten me, peasants."
Alarms rang in the man's wife's head as the image of a terrible man resurfaced. She stumbled back and stuttered, "I-I r-remember she had been working at an apothecary shop. Perhaps you'll find more answers there." She blurted out, her body trembling and her pupils dilated.
The man looked at her, snorted and left, heading to the apothecary shop without wasting time.
"Why did you tell him for free? We could have asked for more money if we played it right." The man asked his wife, unsatisfied by the lost opportunity.
The other neighbors nodded, anger flashing in their eyes. How could they divide the few coins among so many people?
"You're all idiots! Did you forget about the man who seven years ago disappeared without a word?" She exclaimed, fear tainting her words as she remembered the man's hateful actions and the terror he forced them to live in.
"You mean that infamous devil?" A villager asked, sweat dripping from his forehead despite the cold.
"Yes! He is back. Inform everyone and never go out at night!" screamed the woman, remembering a past she preferred to forget.
***
After a short walk, the hooded man entered the apothecary shop and gazed at the old man covered in heavy clothes and resting behind his counter. Then, at the shelves supporting flasks of different forms, filled with medicines behind him and finally at the book-filled library.
"How can I help you? Do you need medicine for your travels?" Theodore asked with a warm smile, eager to help.
"I'm searching for the woman who previously worked here. Could you tell me where she is?" He asked, impatience bubbling as he drew closer to his goal.
"And who might you be?" Theodore asked, his smile replaced by a sharp gaze contrasting his old age and continuing, his voice solemn. "I don't think she has any family members."
The hooded man fell silent for a second, his smile widening as he walked towards the library and pushed it using a single arm to block the door.
Then, he turned, his eyes menacing as he approached the counter, saying, "You know, you could have chosen the easy way, old man..."
"Where is she?" He asked, holding his stick before him.
"Why do you want to know?" Theodore asked, terrified by the situation but unwilling to let danger threaten Alina and Julius.
However, the man wasn't pleased with the answer.
"ARGH!"
With a swift movement, he lashed his stick at Theodore's left arm, causing him to scream in pain as horrible scrunching sounds echoed in the room.
"Tell me! Where are they?" He asked authoritatively, a malevolent smile stretching his lips.
"I... I don't know. They left six months ago without a word." Theodore said through gritted teeth while enduring the pain the best he could. The man was too swift for him to follow his movement, much less react to it. Alas, the man desired an answer and wouldn't give up before getting it.
"AARGH!"
With another strike, the man mercilessly broke his second arm, his smile broadening as he asked, "You're lying. Where is the kid?"
Theodore caught a detail in his question. It went from searching for Alina to her kid. Why? Why was he searching for the seven-year-old boy? This question thundered in his mind, numbing the pain before realisation struck him.
'So you know about him, too?' Theodore thought silently, his wrinkly face hardening and his eyes burning in determination. He would never betray his friend. Not a single word would escape his lips!
"Speak, old man. We can still stop before it's too late," the hooded man's commanding voice sounded again, but he remained silent, glaring at him defiantly.
Irritated by the old man's stubbornness and believing more pain would make him cooperate, he swung his stick again and again, breaking bones one after another.
"Speak!"
"ARGH!"
"Speak!"
"ARGH!"
Painful screams reverberated ominously in the shop, alerting the passer-byes and neighbors as the scene repeated itself, frustrating the hooded man to no end.
"I told you to speak, old buffoon!" he roared in anger, unable to contain himself anymore and unleashing a flurry of deadly strikes on the poor Theodore. Amidst this display of violence and cruelty, his hood dropped, revealing his jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes.
After venting, he gazed at the dying apothecary, his malevolent smile returning to his lips as he said in ridicule, "You died for nothing, idiot! I'll still find him, no matter the cost."
Then, he walked to the door, moved the library aside, and exited the shop, leaving Theodore sprawled on the ground, his body a sad sight to behold.
Every visible bone had been broken, his limbs were bent at unnatural angles, and his ribs pierced his lungs, causing his ragged breathing to emit gurgling sounds. Yet, his blurring consciousness worried for his friend instead of his fading life.
'This madman is back after seven years. Please be careful.' He thought, saddened to leave before meeting him again. 'I couldn't deliver my promise to die peacefully. I hope you won't be mad.'
'Thank you for everything you did in the past seven years. I wish you a great and happy life delving in magic and alchemy... my friend,' He thought, a smile stretching on his lips despite the pain before slowly closing his eyes and taking his last breath.