"Hey! Quit babying around and play like a real man!" another child calls out.Confused, I ask, "What's going on? Can someone fill me in?". "THEY'RE PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK!" Losel yells.The small child taps me again with his tiny fingers. I lean down, and he whispers, "Help me, and I'll tell you where the fake jewels are made."
So he overheard us.
But how does this little boy know their hideout when even Losel doesn't?
I sigh, giving in to the offer. "Fine. Let's do this," I tell the kids.Another child shouts, "On your marks! Ready, steady... HIDE!"With that, we all take off in different directions."What happens if they find us?" I ask the small child running beside me.
"They'll… beat me to death," he says in a chilling tone.
"What? Why would they do that?" I ask, but before he can answer, Losel calls out, "QUICK! THEY'RE COMING!"We had gotten so lost in our thoughts that we forgot to hide,we were just running."Oh..no.. no… they're coming!" the child says in horror. It's like his life truly depends on it.
Not knowing what to do, I freeze, frantically searching for a hiding spot, but it's already too late. They'll spot us no matter what.Suddenly, a hand grabs me from behind,steady and urgent. A strange shiver runs through me for a split second before a familiar voice says, "Hop in."
I barely have time to process it. Without hesitation, I grab the child, and Losel jumps in right behind us as we vanish into the portal.
We all landed on a dry, sandy alleyway, gasping for breath. The air was still, the warmth of the sun-soaked ground seeping through my hands as I steadied myself.
I glance up and spot Cian. "Cian? When… I mean, how did you find us?"
He crosses his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "What a thing to say to someone who just saved you," he remarks, then nods toward the child. "You should be more worried about him. He might have the answers you're looking for."
He's right. I turn to the child and find him beaming, his eyes shining with relief.
"You did it! Thank you… thank you!" he exclaims before throwing his arms around me.Something about his happiness is contagious. The tension in my chest loosens as I take in the rare moment of relief. The air around us feels warmer, lighter, like a weight has been lifted."Victory is ours!" I tell the boy with reassurance while raising my fist in the air.
After a while,question surrounds the little child. "So,where are the fake jewels being made?" I ask. "I don't know" the little boy says. "What do you mean?you said you did know about their whereabouts" I said with doubt. "I don't,but My papa does.He used to tell me stories about the jewels" he says before adding "Dont worry,I will take you all to him".
With that, we all walked through the deserted place, the sandy wind carrying a lingering warmth. Ahead of us stood a small hut, worn down and in poor condition.
"Papa! I've brought some very special guests!" Arlie announced with excitement."Oh? Friends of Arlie? It's a pleasure to meet you all" he said, dusting off his hands before offering a handshake."Pleasure to meet you too, sir. We've come with a request," I replied.
"Oh, but come inside first. It's a bit rusty in here, but make yourselves at home," he said warmly.
We took seats on the rickety chairs as he placed some snacks in front of us."You really didn't have to, sir," I said politely.
"OH LORD, THIS BUN TASTES AMAZING!!" Losel suddenly shouted.Cian and I stared at her in dead silence, but the child only laughed it off. I cleared my throat.
"We're looking for information on the whereabouts of the jewel makers," I said.
Suddenly,his expression changed slightly.He seemed to drift into his thoughts, his gaze unfocused. For a moment, it was as if he was somewhere else, lost in memories only he could see. He exhaled softly, tapping his fingers against the table.
"Jewel hunters..." he murmured, almost to himself. Then, his eyes refocused on us. "It's been a long time since anyone has come asking about them."
His tone carried a hint of nostalgia, maybe even regret. I leaned in slightly. "Do you know where we can find them?"
He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I do. But whether you're ready to face what lies ahead... Now thats a question on it's own." He said.