What a Festival (1)

They packed everything that they could carry, and thankfully, it was not a lot. Lia took some of the books, especially Tamara's notebooks, while Tamara brought her materials and her flasks and pots of medicine. Of course, she did not forget to pack the machete.

The good thing about not having neighbors was that no one would gossip if you suddenly leave. The townsfolk would probably say that they were glad of it, though. Good riddance, they might say. Lia snorted and rolled her eyes at the thought.

"We should pass by Yolly's store before we leave," Tamara had said. Lia understood the need to say goodbye to her friend so she agreed. They decided to go down on the morning of the festival.

It was their last breakfast in the cottage, and it was quiet and peaceful as if the place was also saying goodbye to them. Lia took in the calmness and felt somehow sentimental. This was her first-ever house in this world, and she had lots of memories in the short time she stayed here. She loved the area too. Even if they were in the middle of the forest, there were no wild animals around. But she had to move on. She could not wait to know what would welcome her out there. Hopefully, safety and happiness.

Loud rapid knocks burst her bubble of silence. The warm and cozy air inside the house chilled with each rap at their door.

Lia's eyes immediately met Tamara's who looked alarmed. They never got visitors. The second seemed to stretch as they waited.

"Tamara! It's me!" a raspy voice shouted from the outside. In no time, Tamara was at the door and revealed a distressed Yolly.

"What's wrong? What happened to you?" Tamara asked as she helped her friend enter the house. Instead, Yolly struggled and refused to be led inside. She clutched her friend's arm like a lifeline.

"You need to help me please." Yolly shook her head and wailed. The Yolly that Lia met a while ago who could throttle people anytime was like a wet paper doll now. She looked like she would topple any minute.

Tamara embraced her friend and tried to soothe her. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Please, come with me. I need your help. My Frankie is…" Yolly hiccuped. "Frankie is…"

"I understand," Tamara said then she turned to Lia, "please get our bags. We'll be going to the town earlier than expected."

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As they walked towards the town, Yolly told them what happened in between sobs.

Frankie came home, dead drunk, and began doing things like attempting to fly from the second floor of the shop. Yolly dismissed it as drunkenness. The next day he had high fevers. They heard that to cure that, Frankie just had to drink the alcoholic drink again which turned out to be a gin, not a beer like what Ed said. The fever went away, but the delusions that Frankie had grew wilder and he began harassing people. Now, he was back with a high fever again.

Lia's heart hammered against her chest. Another change. In the novel, Yolly was the one who got sick. What she described was the classic case caused by the gin, and now the drink came too close to Lia. It was like the novel's way of saying that she could not escape her fate.

It was still early, but, perhaps, because it was the day of the festival, there were more people and stalls around. At least, the shop seemed quiet. They hoped Frankie had not done anything yet, and that they were not too late.

Just as they opened the door, a loud sound from the second floor welcomed them.