𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 // 𝙁𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙢 𝙓 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 1 {𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚙𝚒𝚝𝚢}

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"ʷʰʸ'ᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ᵐᵉ?"

Who did I choose? What's happening? Who are they?

"(ʸ/ⁿ).. ʷʰʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ᵐᵉ?"

I don't know.. What are they talking about... choose?

You only heard a voice echoing in the depth of your soul.

"(ʸ/ⁿ) ʷʰʸ? ʷʰʸ? ʷʰʸ? ʷʰʸ ᵐᵉ?! ʷʰʸ? why...... why.... wake up! Wake up!"
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You gasped for air and felt your lungs restore your rapid breathing. "Dad? Oh... you scared me!" You huffed and your lips tugged upwards.

Your father had a sweet expression. His face was framed with wrinkles, but to you he still acted like a young boy. His arm was rested around your body from over your covers. "Geesh, you're sweating! Bad dream?"

You just wore a weary smile, touching your sleek forehead gently as your father sighed.

"Anyways, you're late! You know Francis won't be happy.." He smiled gently and pulled your covers down just above your waist.

You felt distant. Out of body. What was I dreaming about again?

You shrugged the feeling off and put on a smile. "Nah, it's just hot in here. Alright, I'll get up. Thanks dad." You spoke, watching him give you one last meek smile before shuffling to the door and shutting it to allow you privacy.

Your house wasn't much. Quaint maybe.. some would call it. Oh well, welcome to the little village of Hebrata, I guess. Everyone's house was falling apart, but there was a bond between each villager here that meant so much more than the poverty. It's not like you knew any different. Your father actually had quite a bit of money, but he never flaunted it. Said he wanted to really "fit in"... or something like that. You had a nice little cozy barn with a nice job under Ms. Francis...

Ms. Francis... oh gods! Ugh, I'm going to be late for work.

You quickly pulled yourself out of your thoughts and got out of bed. You changed out of your simple nightwear and put on more acceptable clothes for work. You managed to stumble out of your room, pacing to the front door before you swung it open. There were some puffy clouds in the distance, but it was mostly bright and vibrant outside, almost eerily so... 

Unfortunately, it could not be said the same for the crops. See, there has been a long drought recently that has been forcing the village into a bit of trouble with food. The village mainly relied on crops for survival, but now its a tough time just managing to get bread at the market. Everything is always sold out.

You walked down the dirt path, weirdly focused on the soft crunching beneath your boots. 

How come I'm so attentive today?

You notice a figure to your left by the Barnhouse. You can't not notice her straw-like hair, matched perfectly with the straw hat laid upon her head.

You panted from lack of air as you approached Ms. Francis. "Sorry I'm late, slept in." You nervously laughed and scratched the back of your neck.

Francis sighed and ruffled your hair. "You could at least brush your hair and make yourself look presentable. But, it doesn't matter much now. I'm afraid you don't have a job for today. No one has been able to grow crops successfully and our animals are dying from lack of nutrition. If this drought doesn't stop... I don't know how long we'll all be able to last."