Decay of Desire

Section 6

   We descended the snowy stairwell into the town, and I just knew Aina was going to trip at the rate she was moving. I reached the bottom, and followed her over to a small storefront. "Look," she whispered, "This is the bakery. The cakes in there are to die for, you wouldn't believe how good they are." I stated, "Umm.....is the door always open like that?" She went to where I pointed, and noticed the front door hung askew at an angle. Without a word, she ducked inside, so I followed her in. It was hideously dark inside, but I managed until Aina lit a torch on the wall, and we could see our surroundings. I knew immediately the place had been ransacked, by the way the tables had been overturned, and there was a broken strongbox laying on the counter. "Who would vandalize this place? Anyone who lived near here knew this place was legendary for their pastries. I mean, maybe stealing a slice of cake every now and then, but this......." She trailed off, just staring at the condition of the shop. "We have to check on the rest of the town," she exclaimed, running out of the shop. She ran lightly across the snow to house, and knocked on the door. We waited, our breaths frosting in the chilly air. There was no response, and no lights in the house. "Evan, I want you to do something for me, and not question it." I told her sure, whatever she wanted. She looked me right in the eyes, all serious and said, "Break this door down." "Woah, okay. Back up," I agreed. She stepped back, and I felt the door, to see how thick it was. I concluded it shouldn't be too hard; it was made of birch, and pretty flimsy. I put myself in a good stance, and dug my feet into the snow to balance my weight evenly. I leaned back heavily, and rushed forward, dropping my shoulder and letting it catch the door with the full force of my body. The door immediately gave way, and splintered to pieces, as I kept moving, and stumbled to a halt in what looked like a dining room. Aina cautiously stepped through the splinters to me, and asked, "Is your shoulder okay?" I shrugged it off and told her I was fine. "Okay, well I'm going to check upstairs for any people," she explained as she trotted up the stairwell. I wasn't sure how anyone in the house wouldn't be awake, someone smashing your front door in isn't exactly quiet. I was content to sit at the dining table and relax for a moment though.

It was about a minute before she came back down the stairs, and I knew that there were no people in the home. "Let's check my parents' house," she called after me as she walked out of the doorframe. They had lived in a small two story house, a neat little wood cabin almost. Aina fished a key out of her pocket, and jammed it into the door. I heard a lock pop and give way, and with a grunt she pushed the door open. We stepped inside, and I looked around what she had once called her home. It looked very similar to the other home, modeled much the same way. Aina gazed about, apparently reminiscing. Without a word she sprinted up the stairs, and I chased after her into a small bedroom. There was a medium sized bed, the sheets rumpled and strewn about. A night stand sat lonely in the corner, bare and exposed. A dresser leaned up against the wall, the doors flung wide to reveal empty space. And in the corner, a dark figure was huddled. "Dad? Mom?" Aina peered over the bed at whatever it was. The mound stood, and Aina vaulted the bed in one swift movement and snatched up the figure. "Aina! Oh I never expected to see you again! Thank the gods you've came back in one piece," the person stated, I had to assume it was her father, judging by the deep baritone of his voice. His laughter was rich, and filled the small room quickly. She whispered something to him, and they both ceased their rejoicing to look at me. I awkwardly shuffled my feet about, wondering whether to speak first or not. Thankfully, Aina broke the silence by introducing me. "Dad, this is Evan. He's been traveling with me on my way up here. I found him lost in the woods, and he's shown himself to be a great guy." She flashed me another smile, and I gratefully returned it. "Evan," she continued, "This is my father, Rodney. And my mother is probably too shy to introduce herself, but her name is Cora. Mother, do say hello to my friend." A small figure stepped forward, and I could barely make out her features in the faint light that streamed through the doorframe. She meekly said hello, and turned instead to her daughter, and the three all hugged together. And here I was. Just a wallflower. I guess I should have been grateful Aina even let me come with her, and besides. She hadn't seen her family in forever. I owed her some time alone with them. Quietly, I slipped back out the door and went downstairs. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just let my mind roam. Unfortunately, the first thing I remembered was the horrifying dream. Ugh, that black mist just seemed too unnatural to surface in a dream. What the hell had it been? And never before had I experienced something trying to penetrate the sanctity of my mind before, not even while I was awake. Hell, nevermind. Aina came walking down the stairs with her parents trailing closely behind. They all took seats at the table with myself, and just as Rodney began speaking, a loud voice echoed outside. "Attention people of Ridgevale! The Bloodsail Bandits have selected this town as their new headquarters. I, Gallagher Tamaro, hereby claim this town as bandit property. Should there be any survivors, please exit your homes immediately and make your way to the town center. Thank you for your cooperation."