50 Reasons Why I'm Not Gay

-Hugo-

Hugo's POV:

"That was pretty good Hugo!", Yong exclaimed happily, his high and energetic voice disturbing the quiet as we drove along the faded dirt path, "One of the best camping rabbit breakfasts I've ever had!"

"How many camping rabbit breakfasts have you had exactly?", Varian asked amused.

Yong tapped his chin, "I've actually only had one, but the one we did just have was perfect!"

Nuru laughed as she hugged Yong, "I'm glad you enjoyed your food!"

I groaned as they continued to talk and tuned them out, wanting just to be alone again already.

What was up with these people?

I focused my eyes on the passing scenery as I my mind wandered to the nice quiet moments I had shared with Varian.

Well, before it was ruined with all the racket I was dealing with now.

But to be fair, I did wake them up.., but I needed to get past my feelings before they got dangerous, ending that moment had been essential. Before I got to that place where my emotions clouded my vision to what I was here for.

I knew I was in danger of that, I had set myself to not going there.

But I was failing already-

Not even 12 hours later when I promised myself to not get that stupid feeling in my heart again, Goggles just had to be an asshole and then we got talking.

It was like he was trying to break down those walls intentionally.

I mentally kicked myself, trying to get a grip as I heard Varian's laugh break through my thoughts.

"Could you all just be quiet for a moment!?", I interrupted annoyed, "Your voices talking this early and this loudly is starting to piss me off."

I felt everyone stop and stare at me abruptly, giving me questioning or equally annoyed looks.

"Look, I'm not a people person like you are. I don't giggle and talk loudly or make stupid smalltalk. I like quiet here and there.", I said turning my eyes back to the road.

Varian was the first to speak after a long moment of awkward tension, "I didn't realize we were being too loud Hugo, we'll talk a bit quieter.", he said good-naturally, "I'm sorry, but in a group you can't just expect us not to socialize with one another. Maybe you'd feel better if you joined in?"

I heard Yong about to try something as I quickly declined, "Nah, I'm good. Just leave me alone unless it's necessary."

I glimpsed Yong slumping a little before shrugging and starting up another conversation with Nuru in a quieter voice.

At least they were sorta listening to what I had just asked...

I then caught Varian glancing at me with a bit of concern, before he turned his eyes back to the road with his raccoon around his shoulders.

I felt the urge to say something to him, to tell him why I wanted to be left alone, but I crushed it quickly, leaving a slight ache in my chest.

Suddenly the wagon lurched at the same time a new voice cut through the air.

"Stop! Stop!! You mustn't go that way!", the scratchy voice cried, "It's very very bad!! The area is cursed!!"

I looked up at the older man, presumably a farmer, that stood in the way of the weed and grass infested path.
He had a bad leg which he supported by leaning against a rusty rake, his clothes were simple and earth colored and his whispy straw-colored hair stuck up in pitiful angles.

I frowned at him and vaulted over the wagon side, jumping onto the ground and planting myself in front of him.

"And who's to say that you have the right to be slowing us and stopping us old man?", I questioned, "I'm no mood for stupid setbacks from the likes of you!"

"Hugo!!", Varian yelled at me pushing between us, "Calm down, he's only trying to HELP us."

The old man bobbed his head, "Yes young man I am. You see the direction your headed is the Invisible Village, a place where my son went in several years ago and never came back out!", he stuttered his face pale, "It is not safe that little town, it was foolish for it to be built there in the first place being right near that border. Cursed that was soon to be!
I used to live in it myself when I was a boy, but I left after strange things started happening... it's not advisable to go in that direction. This is the last safe point you'll come to! All that's left out there is danger!"

"What kind of curse is on the village?", Varian asked looking at the man intently as I heard Nuru climb down, "When did it start? What makes you think it's cursed?"

"You're taking him seriously??", I laughed, incredulous.

"Why wouldn't I?"

I rolled my eyes, "He's a paranoid old man Goggles, who's obviously lost his grip on reality after his son's death. He came up with this whole story to make himself feel better about the pain, it's pretty common.
I'm surprised someone as smart as you didn't think of that already."

Nuru crossed her arms and looked at me with disapproval, "Really Hugo? Why would he be just making the whole thing up?"

"I already told you, he's senile."

"I am most certainly not!", the old man interjected looking miffed.

The old man then pointed toward the silhouettes of the little houses and swirling bluish mist, "The inhabitants of the village are all gone! And one of the houses themselves have disappeared! I believe that itself is only part of the curse! No one knows what's on there without coming back alive! Please take heed and don't go there!", he warned looking desperate, "Don't lose yourself like my son Antonio did!"

I sighed, tired and done with listening to him, "Halfway senile then.", I then turned to Varian, "Whatever the case is here, I'm pretty sure there isn't anything to worry about over there. We go through the village, find the mountain and do our stuff. There isn't much more to do or worry about since we've got everything we need."

Varian ran a gloved hand over his face, "Maybe you got a point.. we already did the challenges. Whatever is in that Village is probably small stuff."

The old man shook his head so hard his fake teeth rattled, "No it bad! Very bad!!"

"Pretty sure there's nothing.", I said with annoyance over him, "Can we go?"

I watched as Nuru and Varian exchanged looks before Varian nodded, "Yeah, let's get moving."

"What? Are you sure?", Nuru asked shocked.

"Yeah, we've been through a lot together, I know we can face any challenge we come across.", he said determined, "Thanks for the warning sir.", he bade as Nuru and he climbed back into the wagon.

The old man gave me an apprehensive look before I turned and joined the others as the wagon made its way to the misty village.