The Stranger

Anthony, or whoever he was now, wandered through the city in a daze. He had no idea where to go or what to do. He felt lost and alone, with no one to turn to. As he walked, he saw a woman selling flowers on the side of the road. She was wearing a long, flowing dress and had a kind smile on her face. Anthony approached her tentatively.

Anthony: "Excuse me, ma'am. Can you help me? I'm lost."

The woman looked at him kindly.

Woman: "Of course, dear. What's your name?"

Anthony hesitated. He wasn't sure what his name was anymore.

Anthony: "I don't remember. I was Anthony, but now I'm not sure."

The woman's expression softened.

Woman: "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure everything will be okay. Why don't you come with me? I'll give you some food and a place to sleep."

Anthony felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe things weren't so bad after all.

Anthony: "Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it."

The woman led him to a small cottage on the edge of town. It was cozy and warm, with a fire burning in the hearth and the smell of fresh bread in the air.

Woman: "Make yourself at home, dear. I'll go get some food."

Anthony sat down on a chair by the fire, feeling grateful and bewildered. Who was this woman, and why was she being so kind to him? A few minutes later, the woman returned with a plate of bread and cheese.

Woman: "Here you go, dear. Eat up."

Anthony ate hungrily, feeling the warmth of the fire and the kindness of the woman easing his fears. After he had finished eating, the woman sat down next to him.

Woman: "So, tell me, dear. What brings you to this city?"

Anthony hesitated. He wasn't sure if he could trust this woman, but something about her made him feel safe.

Anthony: "I don't know, ma'am. I was traveling with my father, and then we ended up in the wizard's chamber. But something went wrong, and I woke up here, alone."

The woman's expression grew serious.

Woman: "That's a very strange story, dear. Are you sure you're telling me everything?"

Anthony felt a pang of guilt. He wasn't sure what he was leaving out, but he had a feeling that there was more to the story than he was letting on.

Anthony: "I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't remember everything. It's all very confusing."

The woman patted his hand kindly.

Woman: "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure everything will be alright. You just need to take things one step at a time."

Anthony nodded, feeling grateful for her words of comfort. As the night wore on, Anthony fell into a deep sleep, comforted by the warmth of the fire and the kind woman's presence. But even as he slept, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. He was a stranger in a strange land, with no memory of who he was or where he came from. And worst of all, he was in a state of jeopardy, with danger lurking around every corner.

The next morning, Anthony woke up feeling disoriented. For a moment, he didn't remember where he was or what had happened to him. But then the memories flooded back, and he sat up in bed, feeling scared and alone.

He looked around the small cottage, hoping to see the kind woman from the night before, but she was nowhere to be found.

Anthony got out of bed and wandered into the small kitchen, where he saw a note on the table. It was written in elegant cursive, and he could tell that it was from the woman.

The note read:

"Dear Anthony,

I had to step out for a little while, but I'll be back soon. In the meantime, make yourself at home and don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of you.

Love, Evelyn"

Anthony felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Even though he didn't know this woman, she was taking care of him and treating him like family. He felt safe and protected, for the first time since waking up in this strange land.

As the day wore on, Anthony tried to make sense of his situation. He tried to remember more about his past, but everything was fuzzy and disjointed. He had no idea who he was or how he had ended up here.

In the late afternoon, he heard a knock on the door. He walked over to answer it, feeling nervous and unsure.

When he opened the door, he saw a man standing on the porch. The man was tall and muscular, with a thick beard and piercing blue eyes.

Man: "Hello there, little boy. My name is Jack. I'm a friend of Evelyn's. May I come in?"

Anthony hesitated, unsure if he could trust this stranger. But then he remembered Evelyn's note and felt a glimmer of hope.

Anthony: "Um, sure. Come in."

The man walked into the cottage, looking around with a curious expression on his face.

Man: "So, you're the boy that Evelyn's been taking care of. What's your name?"

Anthony hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Anthony: "I'm not sure."

As Anthony hesitated, the man looked at him suspiciously.

Man: "What do you mean, you're not sure? Everyone has a name."

Anthony felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't sure if he could trust this man, but he didn't want to lie either.

Anthony: "I...I don't remember. I woke up in this land, and I don't know who I am."

The man's eyes narrowed.

Man: "That's a very convenient story. You don't know who you are, but you just happen to be in this land. Sounds like you're hiding something, boy."

Anthony's heart started pounding in his chest. He didn't like the way this man was looking at him. He felt like he was in danger.

Anthony: "I swear, I'm not hiding anything. I don't remember my name. I just want to find out who I am and how I got here."

The man snorted.

Man: "Well, I don't believe you. I think you're here for a reason, and that reason is trouble."

Anthony felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He didn't know what to do. He felt trapped and alone.

Just then, Evelyn walked into the cottage, looking surprised to see the man there.

Evelyn: "Jack, what are you doing here?"

Jack turned to her, a sneer on his face.

Jack: "I came to see what all the fuss was about. And I think I found it. This boy here claims to not know who he is. I think he's up to something."

Evelyn: "I don't know what your problem is, Jack, but you need to leave. Anthony is under my protection, and I won't have you causing him any trouble."

Jack sneered at her.

Jack: "Fine. But mark my words, Evelyn. There's something fishy about this boy, and I'm going to find out what it is."

With that, Jack turned and stormed out of the cottage, slamming the door behind him.

Anthony felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was glad that Jack was gone, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was in danger. He felt like he had a target on his back, and he didn't know how to protect himself.

Evelyn sat down next to him, putting a comforting arm around his shoulder.

Evelyn: "Don't worry, Anthony. Jack is just a troublemaker. He won't bother you again."

Anthony looked at her, feeling grateful for her kindness.

Anthony: "Thank you, Evelyn. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Evelyn smiled at him.

Evelyn: "You don't have to worry about that, dear. You're safe with me. Now let's go make some dinner. I'm sure you're hungry."

As they got up to go into the kitchen, Anthony felt a sense of gratitude and relief wash over him. He was grateful for Evelyn's kindness and protection, but he couldn't shake the feeling that danger was lurking just around the corner. He had to stay alert and be ready for anything, or he might not make it out of this alive.

Little did he know that danger was closer than he thought. As they entered the kitchen, Anthony suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. He turned around to see Jack standing behind him, a wicked smile on his face.

Jack: "I told you there was something fishy about you, boy. Looks like I was right."

Anthony fell to the ground, his vision blurring as the pain intensified. He felt like he was going to die.

Evelyn screamed, rushing to Anthony's side.

Evelyn: "What have you done, Jack? Why would you do this?"

Jack shrugged, looking at Anthony with disdain.

Jack: "He was nothing but trouble. And now he's paid the price for it."

With that, Jack turns to run out of the cottage, leaving Evelyn alone with Anthony's limp body.

Evelyn felt tears streaming down her face as she cradled Anthony in her arms. She knew it was too late to save him, but she couldn't help but feel like she had failed him.

Anthony with his last breaths says something to Jack.

Anthony: ...I….w..i.i..l…k…i..l..l…..y...…o...…-

With that, Anthony died again.