Runaway (2)

"Hey guys." I say as I walk up to my two companions.

"Morning, Nick." Sakura replies while stretching.

Josh, on the other hand, approaches me with a particularly serious expression.

"Are you okay?" He asks me.

"I'm fine."

"..."

He doesn't respond but keeps his eyes on me.

"Really, I'm fine." I continue. "Jezabel just wanted to know my relationship with the fairies."

Josh eventually acquiesces and heads back over to Sakura to finish stretching.

"I told you he was fine." She adds.

"She's right, everything's fine. Why don't we run a few laps to warm up for the day."

""Okay."" The kids respond and we all take off around the palisade.

While running, I can't stop thinking about going to the forest. If i can get the fairies' help, then I could potentially go deeper into the forest where other adventurer's tend to avoid. Ashley was telling me that the treeline has all but been picked clean.

As we're catching our breath from running laps, I bring up my plan.

"That's stupid." Sakura scoffs.

"Maybe so, but I still want to give it a shot."

"Okay."

"Okay as in you think it's a stupid idea or okay as in you want to join me?"

"Yes."

"Goddamit." I say as I rub my temples.

"No, it's too dangerous." Sakura cries as she runs up to Josh.

"I understand if you two don't want to join me but I feel like I have to do this." Just the thought of exploring the woods with the help of the fairies is making my heart race.

"Why?" Josh asks.

"I need to make some money to help my family and I think this is the fastest way to do it. Plus, we've all been training for a while so it's not like I'll be completely helpless."

"..." Josh stares at me again without responding.

"You saw the those Brontobeasts, if they start charging at us then we're dead." Sakura says.

"Which is why we won't go deep into the forest. Look, why don't we go talk to Ashley and see what she thinks."

"You just want to go flirt with her, don't you."

"I mean, that's certainly part of it but she knows a lot more about the forest than we do and we could definitely use her advice."

"Whatever."

"Okay."

"Great, then that's settled. Let's finish up our workout at the guild and then we'll talk to her."

"Huff, huff." I gasp for breath after finishing another lap around the courtyard behind the guild while wearing some strap-on weights. With our ever increasing stats it's becoming increasingly difficult for us maintain the intensity of training. If there wasn't any equipment behind the guild for us to use then I don't know what we'd do.

"You're really determined to go back into the forest, huh?" Much to my surprise, Jezabel pops into the courtyard with Shelly in tow.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Slam!

Reality shakes as Jezabel forces me into the dirt.

Cough, cough.

"Don't play dumb with me. I've known what you were planning since you left my office."

I struggle to catch my breath after having the wind knocked out of me but keep my eyes on the Guild Master.

"He seems determined so we should at least lend him some weapons and armor." Shelly offers with a strangely casual tone; as if my predicament were only a natural course of action.

"Fucking idiot. Do whatever you want." Jezabel says as she releases me.

"Now Nick, I need you to understand that the forest is not a playground. You may not be able to escape even with your elevated stats."

I guess word travels quick around here. It makes sense that Ashley would tell other guild staff members about my status but it still feels a little invasive.

"I understand," I respond as I stand up and wipe the dirt off myself. "I'm not planning on going very far past the treeline."

"It's not your plans that I'm worried about." Shelly says as she shakes her head. "Since we're on the topic, why don't you come inside and we can get you fitted.

"Me too." Josh interjects.

"If Josh is going then so am I."

"Oh, then that makes three of you. I feel much better about you going into the forest with a party rather than by yourself."

"Who said I was going on my own?"

"Nick, we're not stupid. You haven't so much as looked at the other adventurer's since you joined the guild let alone talked to them. Name one Adventurer in this town that doesn't work for the guild."

I open my mouth but no sound comes out.

Damn. I guess I still have some antisocial habits from my last life. I'm happy that I was able to make friends with Josh but that's not really saying much. Most people in my position would probably try to get to know other Adventurer's and join a party.

I suddenly feel very vulnerable after having my own deficiencies thrown in my face.

"I'm sure you could make friends with the other Adventurer's if you were more approachable; try smiling more when we walk back in."

"Thanks. I'll do what I can."

Shelly rolls her eyes and heads toward the door. I just want to run away and hide. This isn't the first time I've heard this advice and it hurts a lot more now. It's as if I haven't changed at all; as if I'm still the same as I was back then; as if I'm headed down the dark path I traveled last time.

I swallow back my fears and take a step forward. People don't change. They may want to change; they may even need to change but they still don't change. Maybe I am the same person I was back then. Maybe I'm headed down the same path, but I have help this time.

I look back at the two children following behind me. Two people from another world, fearlessly heading into the unknown.

We are products of our environment. In a new world full of possibilities I have to believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have to hold on and persevere. I can't give up like I did last time. I can't do that to myself or the people around me; not again. I didn't even leave a note last time.