Cassandra just followed him, running away would be pointless. The problem could be worse, she'd get lost in the woods once again and she will make everyone worried about her. They went nearer, seeing an old man sitting by the side of his tent.
He was smiling at them, as if he was expecting for them to come in their place. Neither of the two spoke, had opposite feelings as they took steps forward. When they were near, the old man stood. "I can sense hunger inside your stomachs, children." He finally spoke. "Come," he gestured his head inside the house. "Eat at my place." He offered.
"No, we're fine, sir. Thank you." Cassandra refused. "Cassie," Andy gave a half-glare at her. "Please, there's no turning back anymore. He could be guiding us to our houses." He tried to convince his best friend. She wanted to speak, talk back, but she just sighed. She couldn't do anything now, besides, she was definitely hungry and desperate.
"Fear me not, young children. Everything living in this place is safe, we will do no harm to the both of you. The time you'll go out of this village, you will die of hunger." He pointed to the exit. "Eat here, after that you can leave and run away."
They looked at each other, Andy giving a sure nod. The man first entered his house, then the two friends followed him. The tent was small, but compared to the most houses built in the place, it was the biggest. Everything was simple, all around them were just made of wood. There was a table positioned at the center, full of fruits and cooked animal meat.
The kids sat on the chair, the other sitting across the table. "Eat all you want, don't be shy. I'll be waiting for you outside." The old man said as he started walking out of the way. "How do you know we're starving?" Andy asked.
"I know everything. I am the elder." He replied with his low voice. "The elder?" He repeated. "Yes, my child. Like a superior, if that you can understand more." He said, putting his hands higher, that time they've seen he was wearing bracelets. It made the two kids gasp. "You're our king? That is awesome!" He cheered.
"Yes, yes. Incredible, isn't it?" He seemed even more believed to what he said than the kids. "Totally, king." Andy answered, Cassie giving just a grin. "King? Do not call me king, please. That was just an exaggeration, child. I'm the elder." He was making them confused. "Now, go on. Eat." He ordered. "But, wait. If vampires are immortal and that means we don't die and our faces don't really get old, why do you look old? Aren't you a vampire, too?" Andy asked, his words said that he was madly curious about the elder. "I've been living for centuries, curious Andy. And you know, I was getting weary of life. Doing the same things every single day, taking care of the villagers living in my tribe. I always wanted to die, always. But, I just don't know. Maybe I still have to do a very significant thing to all of us. Or maybe this is what we get if we get careless about ourselves." He said, adding the second sentence in case the kids didn't understand any of it. "Now, please. Go ahead and eat the food." They nodded at the same time, Andy eating rapidly, took a big mouth full of it.
Cassie first stared at the food displayed in front of her, observed what they were and how were they killed if that was possible. The food served were from a deer, perhaps. Then beside were a cup of fresh blood, she could say it came from the same one.
The elder then left them, gave time to savor the food they were eating. "I guess these were butchered properly." He commented. "I think it's better to be taken as 'professionally'". She corrected, smiling when they were both done eating afterwards. "Professionally." He appreciated it. Then, someone entered. It wasn't the elder, this time it was a young girl that looked two or three years older than them. Looked ten, in human years. She was holding coals.
They watched her put the things in the fireplace, where their light comes from. Then, they gave back their glances, with a friendly smile. She looked not-so-friendly, for the judgement. She was tall, though. "Where did you two come from?" She asked, the speed of her voice was slow, looking at them, eyeballs rapidly moving. "There in the woods. We got lost." Andy replied.
"It's simply a coincidence for the both of you to be finding this place. Especially, you two are young. But, you're lucky. Really are." She sounded harsh, but changed immediately the negativity of her statement when she caught herself. "I'm Theresa. Welcome to the village." She introduced, grinning. "I'm Andy. This is Cassandra. Cassie for short." He replied.
"You should eat some more, or else I'll be taking that." She said jokingly. "Yup. We're full." Cassie answered, rubbing her big stomach. "Nope, I'm just kidding." She laughed a little. "We could play now, since you're full." She offered. No one did really expect that. "Why not?" Cassie asked, stood from her seat. "Let's play outside." Andy said when they went out.
