Ash stood at his usual spot in the bustling village market, arranging the fresh strawberries neatly in baskets. The vibrant red fruit gleamed under the morning sun, attracting the attention of passersby. He glanced around, a twinge of nostalgia hitting him as he remembered the first time he came here as a kid.
He came with his father when he was a kid once, and this village had always held a special place in his heart.
Today, Grandpa wasn't with him. The old man's back pain had flared up, making it impossible for him to join Ash at the market. Ash felt a pang of concern but knew Grandpa would be fine, especially with all the care he was putting in.
Ash's mind wandered as he worked. When he first left everything behind and came to this village. He needed a place far away from Elijah, somewhere that wouldn't remind him of the past. This village, with its strawberry fields and small markets, had felt like a safe haven.
