Alvin fell silent upon hearing Grizzle's words. He turned to his mother, Elena, who wore a calm facade despite the situation. After a moment's silence, he said in a low voice,
"Grandpa, you know, Father left us when I was 10 years old. At that time, Mia was not even a year old, and Mother had health issues. Our savings dwindled quickly. To put food on the table and get medicine for Mom, I started selling everything we owned."
Alvin continued with a sigh, "When every possible way to earn money was slowly closed in front of us, I decided to find some work. But what work can a 10-year-old get? Even if I found work, how much could I earn? When the meager amount I made wasn't enough, I even resorted to begging to barely gather money for our daily meals. I worked hard; I worked until my body couldn't move an inch to earn a few more coins daily."
Elena, who was listening to all this, tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor, but the tears flowing down her cheeks betrayed the pain in her heart. Grizzle remained silent, imagining the life Elena and her children had been living all these years.
"For years, people I worked for beat me up for any little mistake. Some did it just to vent their anger, using me as a punching bag. They enjoyed insulting and hurting me. I never complained; I just kept my head down and endured it. The bullying, the insults... I never spoke up. But..." His voice hardened, a fierce glint replacing the sadness in his eyes.
"There's one line I won't let anyone cross. No one, ever, gets to disrespect my Mom and Mia. That's why I can't go back. Not to a place that drove Mama away."
Grizzle remained silent for some time and then said with a sigh, "Kid, I was an orphan. I slowly built the Rosewood family step by step, experiencing all types of trials and tribulations. I can understand each and every word you say. But kid, after knowing that you guys are living such a life, if I leave you to your own fate, how can I sleep with peace of mind?" He said while rubbing Mia's head.
Alvin surprised everyone with his next words. "Teach me, Grandpa. Teach me to forge. I want to take care of them myself. i will use my own sweat and blood to earn money for Mom and Mia."
Grizzle remained silent, and Elena also didn't speak. Actually, she also didn't want to go back to her home anymore. After her mother died, her father had married another woman, and he didn't even look at her. If not for fear of her great-grandfather, her family would have kicked her out of that house a long time ago.
"Fine," finally, Grizzle agreed with a nod after some time. "But your food and Elly's medicine will be looked after by this old man." Alvin wanted to say something, but Grizzle suddenly lifted the hammer next to him and said in a serious tone, "Do you have any objection, kid?"
Alvin was speechless. This shameless old man was holding such a giant hammer and threatening me. It was evident that the old man wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Alright, alright, you win, Grandpa," Alvin just smiled and didn't say anything more.
"Rest well, kid. I'm going to take Mia out for some chocolate cakes. We've been waiting for you to wake up. Now that you're fine, let this old man accompany my cute Mia for a stroll outside," Grizzle said. Hearing Grizzle's words, Mia, who was looking from the side, nodded like a chick pecking rice, "Yes, yes... Brother, don't worry. We will buy chocolate cakes for you as well."
It seemed like Mia was doing well with this old man, Alvin thought in his heart.
"Rest well, Alvin," Elena rubbed his head affectionately and she also walked out of the room.
Once everyone was gone, Alvin could not hold it up any longer and entered his mind space. This damn book had been torturing him since the day he came into this world. He was really going crazy from all the things happening to him.
But when he saw the golden book once again, Alvin was stunned. Why? Because he saw a cute, doll-like little girl sleeping over the golden book, drooling from her mouth.
"Now who the hell is this?" Alvin was tired. Actually, the sight of the little girl would have melted anyone's heart; she was simply too pleasing to the eyes. But Alvin was panicking. This book had been toying with him ever since he merged with it. Each time something strange happened to this book, he was 100% sure that he would go through extreme pain. He was nearly going mad because of this bloody book.
Hearing Alvin's shout, the little girl who was sleeping soundly over the book woke up while rubbing her eyes. "Alvin, why are you shouting?" the little girl asked in a cute voice. She had black hair and blue eyes just like Alvin.
Alvin was stunned. "Little girl, who are you and how do you know my name?" Hearing Alvin call her a little girl, the cute girl became angry and instantly flew over to him. She was floating like a fairy, right in front of Alvin's face.
"Who are you calling little girl? Call me Eye God; it sounds much better," the little girl said with a pout on her face.