A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 3 (Part 3)

Suddenly, the man's smirk turned into a pout as his brows furrowed. "A-are you stalking me?" he asked, slightly furious.

"What? No! No, no, no..." Oliver was startled, rapidly shaking his head as he stepped further away.

"...What are you doing here, then?" the man asked as he snatched his hand away from Oliver's grip.

"Uhmm... destressing! I... I've been doing this for the past ten years!" Oliver replied, trying to make himself appear fierce. "That means I should be the one who must ask, 'What are you doing here...?', huh?"

"Can't you see? I'm studying that patch of mushrooms," the man pointed at the mushrooms behind him.

"...For what...?"

The man cleared his throat and explained. "Ehem... I'm... I'm a potion maker. I'm observing these lampshrooms. They might be suitable for instant medicine."

Oliver raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Hm..." he peered at the glowing mushrooms.

"...Uhmm... I'm Gregory Hidesine, but you can call me Greg!" the man, Gregory, introduced himself as he offered Oliver a handshake, slightly smiling.

"...You just snatched your hand away from me earlier. I don't think I won't be having any contact with your hand anymore," said Oliver.

"Oh, forgive me for my indecent thoughts. I assumed earlier you were about to commit... something... sir," Gregory lowered his hand away from Oliver.

"Don't call me 'Sir', sir," Oliver demanded. "Besides, you don't know my age yet."

"Well, then... if it's alright. May I ask? How old are you?" Gregory asked kindly.

"Oh, uh, I... I recently had my birthday. I am now nineteen years old," Oliver said. "You...?"

"Twenty. I'll be turning twenty-one in August," Gregory said.

"Mine's April," Oliver glared at Gregory in the eyes. "But, now, since you know my age, I am the one who should be calling you 'Sir', Mister."

"Alright..." Gregory sighed. He then asked in concern. "But... what brings you here late at night? Uhm... while wearing indoor clothing...?"

Oliver glared at the ground. "As I said earlier... I am just... destressing after a long day of non-stop labour at home... tsk... and I can only go out at night... so, yeah."

Gregory felt concerned as he moved closer to Oliver and placed a palm on his shoulder. "...Oh, I'm sorry for what you must go through..."

"Look. You don't have to comfort me..." Oliver crossed his arms as he felt bashful. "...But... still... thank you... and..." He turned around and began walking back home. "...And goodbye."

"...Hey. Wait! May I know your name, though?" Gregory asked as he followed Oliver.

Oliver halted and looked back at Gregory. "...Oliver... Oliver Podeshire," he said before resuming walking.

     Gregory's eyes widened. His jaw gaped open. Then, he felt his quick heartbeat punching through his chest.

"...Wait!" Gregory called as he hastened towards Oliver.

Oliver immediately stopped. "Hm?"

"You're Oliver?? Oliver Podeshire??" Gregory asked, his glistening eyes widened.

"Yes... what's wrong with my name...?"

"Everybody knows who you are, and everyone knows you survived that fateful day. However... nobody knows where you are now—as if you have never left a trace," Gregory explained as they walked together across the grassland.

"Really...?"

Gregory then nodded. "Yes..." He fixed his gaze on Oliver.

"Heh... I guess I've been working too much for the past years."

"...May I know the truth? What's stopping you from revealing yourself?" Gregory questioned Oliver with a concerned look.

Oliver stopped walking and glanced at the ground with his brows furrowed. "It's complicated... Greg..."

Gregory stepped closer to Oliver. "...You can trust me..." he whispered into Oliver's ear.

Oliver peered into Gregory's eyes. "...My adoptive parents... they... they don't allow me to step outside our lawn. So, I only sneak out every night when they're asleep. They do not even let me have any friends. But, as much as possible, I have to work and work... and work; I am stuck... I don't trust people. I can't trust people. I... I can't trust you..." he stated as his head lowered to the ground.

"...We have something in common, though..." Gregory said. "I have a strict father, too..."

Oliver looked at Gregory. "Huh...?"

"Very strict, let's say..." Gregory raised a palm and shook his hand.

     The two of them continued walking as they conversed. Instead of going through the dense woods, Gregory escorted Oliver into another way. They marched together on the grasslands as their pace synchronized with each other. Soon, they found a massive gateway, passed through it, and entered a bustling street.

"...Hey... I... I..." Oliver tapped on Gregory's shoulder as they walked down the sidewalk.

"What's wrong?" Gregory asked in concern.

"I'm scared..." Oliver whispered.

"Don't worry. These are only people," Gregory smiled.

"But, look..." Oliver pointed at a man glaring at them with a black cloth covering his face from the other side of the street.

Gregory followed Oliver's finger and squinted in the direction. "Oh... uh. Not to worry, though. I'm here with you," Gregory assured as he put Oliver on his other side.

"...Will I be fine?" Oliver asked for assurance.

"You will be," Gregory said. He then pointed his thumb at his back. "...Say, uh... do you want to return to the plains and walk there instead?"

"Heh... it's better..." Oliver replied, embracing himself with his arms.

     Oliver and Gregory turned back towards the gateway. As they walked through the bustling crowds on the sidewalk, Oliver looked back at where he saw a glaring man and saw him still leering at him. Once a carriage passed by, the person instantly vanished.

     Shocked, Oliver's eyes widened. His jaw dropped in surprise. He quickly tucked himself on Gregory's shoulder.

"Woah, you fine...?" Gregory asked as he wrapped his arm around Oliver's shoulder.

     Soon, Oliver and Gregory found themselves on the endless plains, strolling with each other instead of returning home. As they walked around the grassland, they conversed and laughed. With each passing second, they felt their bond connecting.

Oliver's pace became slow as he took a slow, deep breath through his nose. "...Hey, Greg? Can I tell you something...?"

"Sure, what?" Gregory grinned.

"...I... I, eh..."

"...Yes...?" Gregory raised a brow as his head inclined towards Oliver.

"Heh... I... I still have this... uh, fear... with people... like..." Oliver confessed as they walked. "Pardon me... but... I am still... afraid of you..."

"Hey, you don't have to be afraid of me; I won't even attempt to hurt you. You can put your whole trust in me," Gregory said.

"...Is it a promise you'll... never hurt me?" Oliver asked timidly, looking away from Gregory.

"I promise," Gregory said.