Part - 1"Time heals everything you know!" was probably what was going through the mind of Marco as he was taking a stroll in the cowsheds. Almost four months to the day of Juliene's unboxing and neither his family nor Marco had gotten over those visuals. The pond was probably much better off being a dull old artistic scenery rather than a peaceful fishing spot. However, what the people had feared earlier hadn't come to life. The crops and stable animals were untouched as earlier and it seemed life was slowly getting back to normal."Time makes you forget everything and people just move on!", said John who was just coming out of the house after helping Trina with the dishes."Do you think they will ever be able to forget that horrific incident?", questioned Marco."Son, let me tell you something. A child's mother loves him even before she has seen him in flesh. A father willingly spends his whole life's fortune on his son with a no-payback-assurance policy. Others might, and they will get over Juliene in how much? Say a year from now! But not his parents. They might not show it but will always wish deep down in their heart for Juliene to be with them.", sighed John."Hmmmm.....ummm....I mean....""Did I just give you another topic to ponder over for the next week? Haha sorry didn't mean to do so. Now c'mon let's have dinner. The food's heat and your mom's patience both extinguish pretty quickly. Don't tell her I said that!", winked John."Si senor!" saluted Marco with a witty smile "Please donot tell me it is cod spice again today!""Yes it is! Infact, the fish was caught from Juliene's pond!!!", John burst out laughing."Dad, that's not funny!", though even Marco had a smirk on his face."Now come on, let's head in!".Part - 2Days went by, but Marco couldn't get over Juliene's loss. It was more of inquisition than sorrow. It seemed the fire was slowly rekindling in his heart; his desire, his questions; everything to know why Somaris, Duskvale and Bleakridge were a gravesite. However, he also had flashes of images within himself which would often stop him from stepping outside Hallstatt. It was a perfect life, all that he could have ever wished for. Was he really going to ruin it for someone who crossed the boundary out of his own will? Sure, he did spend a hefty chunk of his childhood with him and he also wanted to do what Juliene did giving his life for. "Come on sweetheart, it's not your fault. Don't even think like that.",said Trina, as she bathed an eye at Marco picking at his dinner. "Mom, I wasn't thinking about that. It's just that....I wonder who could have done such a gruesome and heinous act that too to a mere child? What harm did he do to anyone?", Marco said while taking his first bite of the broccoli ! "You don't have to think about all that. I told you already those lands are cursed from the time of the Great War and no one ever returns safely after visiting there."Marco finished the rest of the meal quite abruptly - "Hmm! I'm gonna go to sleep now. Goodnight mom and dad.""Good night dear!", said John and Trina in unison.A week later, it was Marco's sixteenth birthday. Preparations were already in full swing, decorating the house, selecting the varied range of dishes to be prepared on the occassion. "Marcoooo!!", shouted John. "Yes daddy!", came jogging in an excited Marco, "Do you wish to give me my present on my birthday eve?""Stop that whining of yours lest you won't even get it after your birthday as well! I am going to the granaries to get some fodder for the stables. We also have wheat shortage currently so I won't be back before night. Be a good child and help your mom in her housework.", said John while picking up his sickle."Hmph....Okayy, but be safe and return soon!""Awww, you care about me that much, my little lamb!""No...., actually I want my gift as early as possible!!", saying as he rushed inside the house and slammed the door shut."That kid will never learn!"; as John headed towards the fields.Part - 3"Marco, have you seen your dad?", was Trina's first question when she came to Marco's room after preparing his cake."Yes. He left about two hours ago for the fields and granaries, saying we had some shortage of I-CAN'T-REMEMBER-THE-NAME crop!""It's wheat my boy. Focus on listening to what your elders are saying rather than focussing on your birthday gifts!", smirked Trina."So you did overhear us!", questioned Marco. "Your mom has been overhearing everything about you nine months before you could even see me!", said Trina with that pretty smile of hers."Hmmmm..but mom, do you really think it was necessary for dad to go at this time especially since he knows that the fields are almost on the border of Hallstatt!""Your father never listens! I did advice him to go the day after tomorrow with his friends under bright sunshine but....who could speak over the man of the house! Don't worry he will be back by midnight. Remember to save some for the old guy.""Okay mom. I won't forget."The guests started arriving in around 6:00pm, the celebrations kicked off. There was cake cutting, unwrapping of presents, light talks, party games and a grand meal to end the event on a high. The crowd started to fizzle out at around 11:30, and they had almost forgotten that John existed. Marco was waving goodbyes to the last of the guests' when suddenly he heard Trina calling him, "Marco, has your daddy returned?".After about an hour of cleaning up the mess, there was still no sign of John. "Marco, let's head out. We need to search for him. Your dad might have been stuck up somewhere or might have even dozed off. There are some lights still shining in the neighbourhoods. We will call them for help", were Trina's last words as she went inside the house to get some torches.The entire neighbourhood were in a panic. It was the first time someone had gone missing since Juliene, although none had the courage to speak up to the Augustines. The torches were lit and they headed out for the fields."Johnnnnnn, John where are you?""Father, please respond!!""Johnn, Hey you little prick your family is searching for you and you have no concern! Come out now.""Dear!!! Please respond wherever you are. Johnnnn!!!""Daddyyy!!""Johnnn!!""Continue your searching he must be here somewhere!""Marco, you go that way and shout immediately if you notice anything unusual!", "Okay mom, you too!", "Yes dear."Marco went in the direction to which he had hoped to find his father. It was after all his favourite resting place after a tiresome day's work. He would often have lunch with his father after a gruelling day's work. It was under the scarecrow that provided some shade. "Psst, Marco, here..here..look here!""Who?!""Come with me I know exactly where your father is.""Who are you and how do you know his whereabouts?""Sshhh, not now. Just follow me."Marco couldn't shout, couldn't think, couldn't comprehend what was happening. It seemed a puppeteer was controlling him. He was hypnotized by the silhouette that was probably made of fog. He did not know how long but it seemed an eternity passed. He was probably dreaming, "When would it end?" "I don't want this anymore"; "How long have I been travelling?" "Hey you, why don't you just tell me your name? Where is my father?" "Just a bit more!" "Here we are!!" "What is this place? It is the same field. You wasted my time. Who the hell are you? Tell me!" "Look closely and you will understand. My job here is done. Hope you live a long life, dear Gussy!"Marco's trance was broken as soon as he heard that name. He couldn't find the silhouette anywhere anymore. The moonlight slowly started to trickle down on the image perceived by Marco that lay bare in his footsteps. There, lay in front of him, a lifeless body, savagely mutilated by sickles, protruding every possible hole in his body, with deep, gaping wounds exposing flesh and bone, being consumed upon by insects. The body had been grotesquely displayed, tethered to an existing scarecrow, creating a chilling and macabre scene that seared itself into Marco's memory.John was creamated with honour, not on the outskirts of Hallstatt, but near the fields where he would often spend his day working and tethering after the crops. That night, the entire Hallstatt were drowned in deep fear. Noone even remembered they had celebrated Marco's birthday just a few hours ago. Marco would never find out what his father had planned to give him. His eternal slumber would herald the end of their relationship, which was probably slammed shut by Marco on John's way out."Mom, I have something to say.""Yes dear, what is it?", said a weary and drowsy Trina."While in the fields, I saw a figure that led me to dad. Before disappearring tho, he beckoned out to me to live a long life!""Yes, so?""He called me Gussy........ .... .... .... .... .......Only Juliene called me that!!!"