ONE POINT FIVE (1.5 in the Amnesia Archives)

Chapter 21

Prin's POV

"This is useless," I hissed as I glared at the man in front of me. I was still basically trapped by his arm, his looming form towering over me mockingly, as though to prove that I couldn't do anything against him. "I don't think becoming the village's latest mystery will be a good thing for either of us. Besides, wouldn't they lose interest in you if they have us to speculate about?"

"Probably." He shrugged his shoulders. "But then that would get Queenie off your back, she wouldn't face the entire village."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why wouldn't she? Surely, if she had the entire village in the palm of her hand, then she wouldn't be afraid to do anything here. I'm surprised she didn't outright declare us as outsiders and get us kicked out."

"If she did that, then it would be clear that she's running the place." The man shook his head before straightening up, letting me stand up straight once more and move away from the wall he'd had me pinned to practically. "She tries to be at least somewhat subtle. I supposed she was simply having a bit of fun with you two, letting the excitement get the better of her."

"Anyway, Sarphi is blue with a tail and horns, you don't think that's mysterious enough?" I asked with an unimpressed tone of voice. I was getting tired of this man. I had been scared and intimidated at first, but now it was clear that he was either trying to stall, make me want to leave, or just wanted some entertainment.

"She's peculiar, yes." The agreement was fast. "But that doesn't work in your favour. People need to think they can get to know and understand you; the physical difference is off-putting."

I sighed once more and turned, beginning to walk back to the hall. "Unless you have something useful to say, I'm leaving." I probably should've kept my mouth shut, since it did show him that I was still willing to listen to him. I should've just pretended like I didn't care about anything he intended to tell me.

"You want to talk to the farmer's wife," he said simply.

I spun around, eyes narrowed. I didn't know if I could trust him, nor did I know if I could trust anyone here anymore. "The farmer's wife?" I repeated. "I don't particularly know her." I would only say that I knew Niko and Cade, nobody else.

"She's the one who could help you out." He raised his hands and followed after me, passed me, and continued walking towards the hall, ignoring my existence.

I was speechless at the audacity he had to walk off, just like I had nearly done a few moments ago. "Wait, what's your name?" I called after him, a very last attempt to get any kind of information from him.

The only answer he gave me was an amused chuckle.

I waited a little while before returning to the event, looking around for anything unusual. The man had resumed his place in the corner, but he was looking away from me. I wasn't going to risk drinking or eating anything, just in case I became like Niko. I held a glass in my hand and walked around, talking politely to those I passed, not really knowing who was who.

I didn't have the best memory when it came to faces, so I struggled knowing who I was meant to look out for. I didn't know who the farmer was, Nevermind his wife. Yet, I knew that he wore brown overalls and a blue shirt as his uniform. I distinctly remember him ordering pie from us, stating that he was a fan of large pieces of onion rather than having it so small it disintegrated.

I was chatting to two women when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and gave a small smile as I saw the gardener. I felt my heart grow cold and turn into stone, falling to the pit of my stomach, which began to thaw at it resulting in a burning sensation as I began to panic.