…
Upon opening his eyes, El found himself staring at a wooden ceiling that greeted him in return. From the start of his gradually returning sight, the image was like a canvas leisurely brushed by the painter's skilled hand, until it finally processed by his brain, making him realize that he was now alive and well, even after being taken by those mysterious people.
"Uh… uh…" at first, he struggled to move his mouth and tongue – until words finally taking shape. "W-where, am I?" he muttered to himself. He is certain it is not the library in the village, as he vividly recalls the moment when the wooden ceiling nearly collapsed on him.
Propping himself up to slowly sit on the bed, El realized something was underneath him. He looked down. 'Huh… Bed? Is this, really a bed???'
Touch it, punch it, push it, knead it, you name it. He done all that with his eyes flickered in curiosity and awe. Because other than the experiences occasionally come to him from his fragmented dreams, he never really knew what bed actually was in real life. It was so fluffy, comfy, and soft.
'I must be missing this for years.'
There is another thing he took notice. And that is, his arms are bigger, longer, fairer and not as thin and dry as he remembers. Suddenly, pieces of memories come to the inside of his head, accompanied by the assault of stabbing pain that throbbing continually. It was painful. He clutches his head tightly, which is wrapped in a bandage.
Not so great for a start of the day, ay.
After a minute passed, there was nothing. He didn't even manage to comprehend what the memories actually were. Well, at this point in time, he was already getting used to that. At times, he knew what the memories actually were, but often couldn't even make sense what it really was. And another times, just like what he used to ponders, 'it's gone by the wind, I guess,' – the recollection leaving his side with no hints of smokes on it.
'I lost my memories again huh. This time, it seems to be way longer than before. Maybe years… uh…' shaking his head in exasperation, he realized this was the first time his memories had such long gaps between what he recalled. His small, thin arm and malnourished self were nowhere to be found anymore. It felt as though he was healthier this time around, and obviously, older.
Clenching his fingers tightly, he discovered an unfamiliar strength within his band of muscles.
"What a great day. The only thing I lack right now is… a delicious meal," he said to himself.
*Clack*
The sound of the door unlocking from the outside echoed in the room, causing El's body to tense up quickly. He pushed the white and soft blanket aside, jumped up, and attempted to stand on the floor. However, he would soon realize that it was a terrible mistake.
*Thud*
His lower half are still stiff and numb, making his feet inevitably skiting on the floor. He slipped and fell to the ground, almost face planted first. Lucky, his palm and forearm still managed to catch the error just in time.
"So, you're awake?"
El's head turning toward the source of that deep, gruff voice. And he found out it was a middle-aged man wearing black clothes all over his body, with the stocky, well-defined muscles shown from beneath the tight long-sleeved shirt. And he was exceptionally tall and large too, with his body filling the doorway and nearly reaching the ceiling. He needs to bow down just to come inside.
"Ummmm, who are you???" El asked him.
"It seems, you lost your memories again…" he replied. He had thin beard on his face, making him look rather stern.
After closing the door behind him, he walked slowly into the room, approaching a wooden bookshelf, a study table, and a chair located on the side of the room. His fingers brushed gently against the books. His eyes seemed to be drawn to something.
To somewhere.
Finally regaining some sense and strength in his legs, El draws away from that man – with one knee bending to the ground and arms that ready to retaliate.
The man could feel El's gaze on him. It was cautious.
Turning his vision away from the books to El, the man then walked to the chair, while lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head once to the side. He said, "Being wary of strangers. Nice of you not losing that edge yet," he sat down abruptly on the chair.
Heaving a sigh, the man continued. "Remember this. Your name is Gabriel. And you must not use it in any circumstances. Understood!??"
"… why not? Besides, who are you anyway?" El responds with a confusion and displeased expression. 'The heck, who are you naming me like a kitten?!!'
"I am… … you don't need to know that. You just need to trust me. If I tell you to go south. You go south. If I tell you to go north. You go north. If I tell you don't go west or east, then don't go. Do not ever go!!! From now on, your name is El. Only El. Etched it on your head, understand?"
"Wow, are seriously telling me to do what you want, when this is the first time we met? Should I say yes if you tell me to be sold to the house of slavery then?" El asked in bafflement.
"I won't do that. Don't worry, I won't hurt you," he leaned forward, then putting his elbows on his knees. Eyes solemnly looking at El, still sitting with his oversized body on that poor, normal sized chair.
"How am I supposed to trust what you said? You are not very bright, aren't you sir?"
Upon hearing that, the man eyes could be seen twitching.
"Anyway, you need to trust me if you don't want to die. That's all there is to it. And…"
"And???"
"Foods on me," he smirked after saying that piece.
Meanwhile, El opened his eyes wide, then raise a question to clarify whether he had some problem with his ear.
"You mean… gulp. Foods on you, it was like what people said – free right?" El is really interested. So interested, particularly in that 'food' part. Feels like his brain just goes straight to the factory to be reprocessed – as his prudence goes straight out of the window, and wit pushed to the side of the road. 'What the… what day is today? Must be a new year, isn't it?' El thought.
"Yes, hahaha… Yes kid. It was free," the man appears amused by El's antics.
"For me??? Free?"
"Yes. It is."
"Alright, I am at your beck and call, sir," El's gleefully replied with a big smile hanging on his face. Still genuflecting, he placed his palm on his chest, above his heart, in a manner reminiscent of the knights in his many dreams.
"Good, let's go then. We get some food on the street," the man said as he stood up.
"Sir, if I may ask, you know me, aren't you? For how long? You even know about my memories. What... what actually happens after I was taken from the village?" El also stood up, facing the man.
"… this isn't the first time we have met. We have spent time together for, quite some time by now. If it was about your loss of memories, sorry, can't say it right now..."
"... ok then. How about this. Why should I only use El if I have a name sir? Gabriel, huh. Where does the name even come from?" El asked with glimmers of curiosity in his eyes. 'Gabriel, not bad for a name. But feels a bit girlish though...'
"Hmmmm… I tell you later. Come now, I'm hungry too..."
…