Flawed

Chapter Eight

  The land of Nod wasn't much different than what he could remember. People were still eating dirt and trash they could find; he was upset by this. If he hadn't been stupid he would've shared with his belongings, but of course someone had to ruin that on him. He couldn't believe that his mother still hadn't found the cure for the curse.

"Hey, has the Queen found anything new of the curse?" he said aloud, hoping someone would listen to him.

The people were disheartened, walking around with their faces towards the bleak sky. Halford tried to get their attention, but they ignored him; whispering amongst themselves. This displeased him as he pounced onto an unsuspecting victim; he pulled him into the shadows.

The man was shaking as dirt crumbled from his mouth. He swallowed some as he was attacked, not wanting to waste a single crumb. His eyes wide as Halford shoved him against a deteriorated brick wall.

"You will tell me what's going on, old man!" he shouted, jabbing his ginger at his chest.

"Woah, man, relax. I'm just nobody! I don't really know what's going on, man!" the older man professed, protecting himself with his hands. "Please man don't hurt me!"

Halford lifted the man up by his shirt, giving him a narrowed eyed look.

"Just tell me what's going on and I'll let you go." he answered, clutching the man tight making sure he wouldn't escape.

"Well, uhm, the land still is a wasteland. There still isn't anything growing and no wildlife; we are waiting for the temporary ruler to come back with word. He has gone out in search of a savior."

The prince rolled his eyes. He really couldn't stand that guy, what was his name again? Oh yeah, Aldrich. What kind of name was that anyways?

"I can see that." he bluntly stated, taking a handful of dirt off the ground. "What has the Queen said about this? Has she discovered anything that can be remotely useful?"

"The Queen hasn't said anything about this. She's been dead for over a year now. I thought everyone knew that."

The stranger watched as Halford's eyes opened slowly. A look of pain washed over his face, he released the man and sat gradually at the edge of the sidewalk.

"That can't be true! She was so young and healthy. What happened to her?"

Instead of running away, the man took a spot alongside of Halford. He put a hand on the prince's back.

"The Queen passed away of an unknown illness, since we didn't have any potions or medicine she suffered horribly in her bed. She told us all not to tell her son, because it would kill him."

Covering his face, he sobbed for the first time in a great while. He hated pouring out his feelings to people, but it was mother who died. She meant the world to him, even though they didn't get along well.

"Damn it, mother! Why couldn't you just have someone come find me? I would have found your cure!" he sobbed, gripping his fist tight. "I'll never be the son you wanted!"

The older man patted him on the shoulder and trying to comfort his broken heart.

"I'm sorry about your mother, Halford. I'm shocked I didn't notice it was you at first. I really am getting old."

The feeling of being touched was not something he needed right now. He pushed the man's hand off him and rose to his feet.

"It's not your fault. I just need to go; I need to go reflect on what's going on." he muttered, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Thanks for the information."

The stranger nodded at Halford, his old eyes watched Halford disappear out of view. Thinking back of when he had lost his mother at that young of an age.

Halford walked off, kicking the dirt at his feet. Keeping his eyes at the castle in the distance, wondering if his mother hated him for never coming back home. The pain was unbearable, he had to keep his mind off things. There were lights and music a few feet from him; he'd go to Ashes his favorite tavern hoping to drown his sorrows.