winter’s tragedy

Emma stares at Paul who is starting to sweat a bit "Sorry honey, but I just love my girls too much. It's like they know my weakness and take advantage of it" Paul says as Emma starts collecting the plates. Paul stands up from the table and gives Emma a hug

"I know dear" says Emma "I just want to think more thoroughly. We can't do that, we don't know how Dyoxum is. We can't expect Eva to be fine if we do send her off, its a huge difference there than this poor town." Emma starts washing the dishes "Listen I want what's best for Eva aswell but" Emma pauses "It's just that she thinks she is independent and knows everything. Eva doesn't know anything and that's worries me"

"Eva is a smart girl, she can learn quickly" Paul says "Eva is smarter than we give her credit. You can teach her the basics of taking care of herself. I on the other hand can help her make smart financial decisions"

Paul is trying to convince Emma about the idea "But Paul!" Says Emma "Be reasonable. This isn't about making her happy, it's about keeping her safe. Even if we do this we need to plan everything accordingly" Emma says

"We will make this happen, I'll ask Wilson to borrow some money." Emma looks at Paul "Don't worry Emma, he owes me a favor and I won't ask for much. Just enough to make sure she can stay there for a few weeks. I'll even ask Oliver for some money, I will make sure to pay him back." Paul says "Oliver is a good guy he won't charge me much and he will give me time" Emma is reluctant at first, but Paul's insistence and confidence makes her think he might be right.

In Eva's bedroom Eva is happy. She is sitting on her desk, writing down plans for what to do so she can live there. Lately Eva has been writing so much that her wrists are hurting. "No that won't be possible" says Eva as she scraps another plan "What about if I find work in the library. Oh yeah that'll be a great start I'll keep that in mind."

Ashly enters Eva's room watching as she writes "Do you really want to do this?" Asked Ashly and Eva nods "I will miss you a lot" Ashly says as she approaches Eva "Will you have lots of fun there?"

"Of course I will, unlike here I will have so much to do. There are more opportunities there and" Eva says excitedly "I can have a chance to maybe find myself"

"Find yourself?" Ashly is confused by this "But you're Eva, you're my sister" Ashly says trying to understand what Eva means "If you aren't Eva then who are you?"

Eva laughs "No I don't mean it literally. It's just that I feel that I have something more to me than this. I'm not going to be a wife and mother and then just die. Nope I have a feeling that I'll achieve something that this place has yet to offer me"

"Alright then" Ashly says "I will come with you as well, I also want to find myself" Eva pays Ashly's head "Don't be silly Ashly you are too young to think of this yet. Tell you what, if I succeed there then I'll tell you about everything. I'll write too you, and if you get a feeling of wanting more than this town can offer" Eva smirks "Then you could move there, ok?" Eva says as she hugs Ashly

——

Oliver is in disbelief as he sees some men with guns. They are harassing a poor man who is scared. Oliver tries to turn the cart around, but is spotted "Hey you!" Yelled one of the men, Oliver stops in his track. "Yes?" Says Oliver as the men approach him. There are only 3 of them, they look tired and hungry. One was short, another was skinny and the third one was ugly

"What do you think you're doing, are you trying to run away?" said the short one. Oliver in a calm manner says "I was just passing by, I promise" The men stare at him, they walk and so round his cart "Look at all the crap you're carrying. You're a merchent righ?" said the ugly one.

"Yes, I'm just traveling by" Oliver is being precautious as they are rubbing him the wrong way. "No need to get too close to me" Oliver says as the skinny one starts to rummage his cart. "So what's your name?" said the short one "I'm Oliver, just an old merchant"

"Well Oliver, where are you going?" Said the short one. Oliver knew that he couldn't lie now as they were eyeing him. "Fine I lied. I was going to this town." The skinny one puts his gun away "So why didn't you say that in the first place, instead you decided to lied to us" Olive knew he was in danger and tries to cooperate with them as much as possible

"I'm not one to say where I'm going to when I talk to strangers. It's a precaution my father taught me." The ugly one grabs Oliver's arm "Get out off your cart now!" Oliver gets off his cart and the ugly one points his gun at him.

"Well, we aren't going to hurt you. It's a promise" said the short one "Just don't try anything alright?" Oliver nods "Where do you live?" said the ugly one

"Sorry I can't tell you that." Oliver knew that if he told them where he lived, then they would rob him and the people in his town. Oliver couldn't imagine what these men would do, specifally when there are people who he knows and love living there."I will give you everything I got ok? It's just that I can't tell you were I love." The men stare at each other and laugh

"How funny of you, you old man" said the ugly guy as he punches him straight on the nose with his gun. Oliver stumbles to the ground. His nose has been broken. While on the ground Oliver sees that the man who was being harassed earlier was sneaking away. Oliver knew his best scenario was to hope that the man was running away to look for help

"Listen, we can talk about this. I know a place that has some great alcohol there. I'm a merchant after all. I must know the towns and locations of where I'm going like the back of my hand." Oliver says as the scared man runs off forgotten by the three men.

The ugly guy walks to Oliver and points his gun directly to his head "I'm not a patient man, so tell us now!" Oliver is then kicked in the chin causing him to stumble down the hill "Stop it" said the short one "We can't question him if he is knocked unconscious" The skinny guy and short one get out of the cart. The skinny guy grabs a lighter and a bit of gasoline.

Oliver stands up, his nose is bleeding and his body feels heavy. The ugly guy walks up to him "Fuck you, I was being nice and you just spat on my face" The ugly guy without hesitation shoots Oliver's left foot. Oliver falls in pain screaming in agony

"Worrokoy" says the skinny one as he holds a piece of paper. "So that's the place you live in?" Oliver looks in horror as the short guy lights his cart on fire.

"Well we got what we needed" says the ugly guy "We don't need you anymorel" Oliver is panting holding his foot "Don't, don't kill me" Oliver tries to plea, but the eyes of the ugly guy is fixed on killing him.

Oliver in a desperate attempt tries to run away, but only manages to stumble around. "Look at him, that old bastard had lived more than enough, and yet he still wants to keep going." The short guy just stares with amusement and the skinny one starts laughing. "I bet at that distant you can't shoot his brains out" said the skinny one

"How much are you willing to wager, 30 metal coins?" The skinny guy agrees. Oliver keeps on stumbling sweating and breathing heavily. He can't believe he is going to be killed but that's not what worries him at the moment. All he cares about is the safety of the people of Worrokoy. Especially Ashly who is just a little girl.

With the pull of a trigger Oliver falls to the ground dead. The three men laugh and run to his body. "Yes! A clean headshot" said the ugly guy as the skinny guy reluctantly gives him the 30 metal coins

They proceed to check Oliver's body, and find nothing of importance to them. They stand up and walk back up the hill "Worrokoy is our next stop." said the short one. "Tell Bruno about our next stop"