A Grim Tale of Darkness and Adventuring

Chapter IV- Gossip Outside the Tavern

"I'm baaack!" you say singing, as you enter the tavern. Everyone turns to look at you.

"You took out the Prince of Thieves? Holy moly! That's great!" Vic exclaims.

    Karl just smirks, "Told ya not to worry about the kid. He really is special, Vic."

    You blush a little, "Well, I just wanted to show you sirs that I wouldn't disappoint...You know, and thank you for your company and drinks."

    Karl laughs and pats you on the back, "Well kid, you've certainly showed the whole town something to be happy about today. Alright, now get something to drink, ya earned it!"

    After you get your drink, you head back to your table. Vic, the clever looking carriage driver, smiles at you.

"Hey, I don't mean to pry, but what's up with you two? I mean, a half feline and a human being friends is pretty rare," you ask Vic and Karl, being full of curiosity.

    Vic snickers as Karl gives him a look as if to say, "Not now Vic".
"Well, you're right on us being good friends..." Vic says.

"But HOW did you get to be good friends?!" you blurt out, causing an amused look from Vic.

"I'll let Karl explain the story."

    The human sighs and adjusts his hat, as he usually does when he doesn't really want to talk about something.

"I've found him five years ago, at the side of the road. Poor thing was only a kitten back then, without any family near him. It was raining and he was shivering, so I pitied him and took him in. After lil' Vic got used to me I taught him to read, to defend himself an' everything."

    You nod, "So you two are like father and son?"

    After Karl groaned and Vic let out a little laughter, silence falls.

"Yes, we are." Karl finally answers, causing both Vic and yourself to give him big smiles.

"Never thought that you'd ever admit it, old man," Vic says playfully, but being no doubt touched.

"Aye, talking about kids, isn't it getting late for ya to be up and about, Sam?"

"Why, Karl, you're talking like you're my mother!"

"Well if that's what I have to be for you to not stay up so late, then I might be!"

    You laugh, making Karl smile. You get up from your seat to give Vic a 'goodnight', then turning to Karl, saying, "Thanks for caring for me, mom, I promise I won't disappoint you!"

He lets out a hearty laugh as you make your way out of the tavern.

    Outside is a whole different atmosphere.  If it weren't for the strange people there talking with each other it's almost as if time has stopped. Curious about what they're talking about, you go around the corner of the building so that they can't see you, but you can listen in on them.

"What a little...rrrAT that new kid is!" You hear a feminine voice say.

"Ugh, I know! Don't you just HATE how they run around all happy-lucky?! Like 'Ooh I am going on an adventure!' So annoying!" A rough voice shouts.

Wait, are they talking about you?

"Well, he won't stay like that, that's for sure. I'm sure that one day they'll meet their end...their bloody, bloody, wretched end..." Another voice mumbles, this one sounding like an old and unhinged grandma.

    The other voices then cheer, looking forward to your demise. You can't help but grab your amulet tightly as you quickly and silently run home, to safety.

   You've become exhausted. Opening the door to your house, you go inside and lock the doors and windows, only after that you climb into the bed and put on some pyjamas.

    You wonder to yourself about your future. Will you really end up dead one day? No, I mean, that can't happen! You have your mom's amulet! She wouldn't lie to you about its powers, after all she's your parent! Oh, thinking of parents, what might your mother and father be doing right now? Are they well? Ugh, now you're tired AND sad.

You manage to drift to sleep, dreaming of a dark forest and a magnificent golden bird.

-----------------------Author's Note----------------------

Hello readers.

As I said in the description of this...book? Story? Story. Anyway, as I said, this is a passion project for me, so updates will come either very rarely or three chapters at once. I can't help it, my brain just works that way.

I think that's it for now.

Goodbye readers.