Tales of the Mother Land

Chapter 2

"Pardon me, I'll go fetch my Olivia." The doctor said trotting away from Aurelio. He walked through the white curtains that separated the shop and whatever was behind it.

Aurelio waited patiently before considering just stealing the medicine. None of the people around him seemed to even notice that he existed so there was no immediate harm.

Then he started to think about the doctor. This was his lively hood, he might not have any other way to make money and technically this was morally wrong. What would his abuelito say? Not that he would have much of a say if he didn't make it through this. Aurelio had realized he was starting to overthink so he stilled his thoughts for a moment by closing his eyes.

As a child, when his parents were still around, Arueilo's mother would sing him to sleep. Now when his eyes are closed he can remember it, feel her voice cocooning him. At this moment Arueilo could block out the sounds of the people, he even managed to keep from reaching across the small wooden counter and steal the medicine. He hummed along to the song that replayed in his mind until nothing seemed to be going wrong, not his abuelito, not the long journey to la montaña.

Not long after Arueilo's heart rate had slowed the medicine man had returned with a girl. Aurelio made note that this was Olivia, a strange name to his ears, though it was fitting for a seemingly strange-looking girl. Unlike most people from this area, she was tall and wispy, her hair was golden like then sun. She smiled brightly at him which caught Arueilo off guard. He managed a smile back, before returning his gaze to the medic who had a strange look on his face.

"So, I don't want to waste time on goodbyes, you both must get on your way." The medic stated adverting eye contact. Suddenly Olivia turned and gave him a big hug whispering something in his ear. He wraps his arms around her before quickly letting go. "Livi, make sure you have everything," He turns to Arueilo who had been shifting on his feet awkwardly. "Do you want to let your family know you're leaving?"

Aurelio considered this for a second, "There is no time, the faster we go the better." He didn't want to think about what would happen if they didn't make a speedy return.

"Then let's go, I've got everything." Olivia goes through the door on the side of the shop to exit and stands to the right of Arueilo. "Bye Papí, take care." With one swift motion, Olivia takes Arueilo's hand and pulls him into the direction of the hills, far away from his abuelito.