Chapter 3: Old acquaintance

Soon after, about two more men who cut down the bushes in the way also appeared. They reverently worship.

“We’re late, please forgive us prin-”

Before he could finish speaking, the mysterious face-masked man waved his hand and said:

“Quickly tie up this pig and take it to the horse.”

The other two nodded to move forward, only to realize that there was something black hiding behind the tree. They opened their eyes to look, immediately drew their swords and were stopped again.

“Don't mind him, we'll come back home soon. I’m tired.”

They hesitated to withdraw their swords, hearing orders to quickly cut down a small tree and use it as a burden to carry the big wild boar back.

When the three of them were about to leave, the masked man turned his head to check, ‘that man’ was also following him slowly.

Does it look like ‘he’ wants to get out of this forest?

There was no reason at that time, but he automatically slowed down to lead the way. It seems to show pity for the person who is struggling.

After about fifteen minutes, they finally reached the path at the edge of the forest. The masked man stopped his horse, turned his head slightly and said:

“If you want to go to town then go in the opposite direction, don't follow me anymore.”

Then they spurred their horses to keep going.

....

Alice breathed heavily and followed the masked man's horse. Whether she should say “thank you” or not, it was clear that he was walking very slowly to guide her to get out of this forest.

Once she reached the trail, the man pointed her in the direction of returning to town. It was a pity that she couldn't see his face, but she was sure that he was a good man and would have no reason to deceive her.

Alice went to the stream beside the road, looked at her face covered with mud, and smiled bitterly. She carefully washed her face, groomed herself with her now graying white hair, and cleaned her hands and feet, which were riddled with wounds, with the cold, fresh water. Reflecting on her figure once more time in the clear water, Alice let out a long sigh and continued towards the town. 

If possible in the future, she would definitely find a way to thank him sincerely. And now, she needed to hurry back and take her mother away.

The town where Alice lives was Lentia, it was not too far from this mountain, but it was already dark by the time Alice arrived. Here, people still move on the streets, but it was quite sparse. Sometimes there are horse-drawn carriages passing by. The light from the pubs and inns helped Alice see the way back home more clearly.

Occasionally still seeing lovers hugging each other on the street, then pulling each other into the carriage. Alice tried to hide in the dark and moved quietly. In this town that's famous underground was the prostitute village, no one knew what would happen to the girl dressed in rags walking alone in the night.

Crossing the main street with lights still on, Alice hugged her body and turned into a dark alley. Now, the light from the other half of the crescent moon was the lamp that shines for her. In a long alley with sloping, moldy steps, both sides could hear the rat screeching, running back and forth. As long as she was not careful, she may slipped and fell, of course, if she didn't break a bone, she would also dislocate somewhere.

At the end of the street was a house, or rather a dirty tent with no door, only a few blankets overlapping to cover the door.

Alice hurried come in, and as usual she called out:

“Mom. Alice is here. I’m back.”

No one answered but a rustling sound was heard somewhere.

“Mom? Is that you? Have you slept already?”

Alice knew her mother could not speak so she thought she was somewhere, groping towards her. She waited a bit but her mother still did not appear.

"Light up the lights."

Alice heard a familiar voice and jumped back in fear. Her back hit something hard.

Two candles were enough to light up this tiny tent. Alice looked at the small, sharp, cold face of the woman opposite, her legs could barely stand. Her noble image did not fit the tent scene at all. Behind her was a big guy, he grabbed her thin arms to prevent her from running away.

“Hello Alice. Long time no see. How are you?”

“...”

“It's been so hard to find you guys. And...you kept me waiting for a really long time, you know?"

The woman sitting opposite Alice was her father's lover. She was the person who spread the fake news that ruined her mother's honor and kicked two of the,  out of the mansion. The girl right behind that lady was her father's second daughter, the evil sister.

“Ah, have you just served a guest? The dress was torn like that...How filthy it is.”

“Mom, if you're here, what else can you do for a living?”

“You... Why are you here? Where is my mother?!”

Alice paid no heed to her scornful words, what she cared about now was her mother. Her mother was nowhere to be seen.

The woman snigger:

“Fuh fuh fuh, that poor sick lady??”

Then she stood up, leaning to one side. The henchman behind pushed  someone with messy hair, the body only wrapped in a dirty and thin towel to the floor.

Alice saw the familiar white hair that had been cut jaggedly, the thin figure lying motionless on the cold ground, her heart seemed numb. Alice slumped helplessly on the ground, unable to control her trembling. She crawled closer and turned the person over. Her mother's pale face and purple lips made Alice think someone was squeezing her neck. Her yellow eyes widened in despair, her fingers slowly wanted to touch her mother but her hairs were pulled back by the man behind.

The woman lying on the floor trembling looked up at Alice. Her emaciated, old face, gray-black eye sockets and lifeless crying eyes made Alice felt as if she had been stabbed in the body.

“Mom... Mommy... Alice is here...It’s hurts a lot, isn’t it? I’m sorry mommy... I’m still so late.”

The mute woman said in weak words:

“Alice... my little poor girl... Alice...”

“Mom, wait a minute, I'll save you from this place. We’ll get out of here, okay?”