Chapter 5

Herbert then sat down and continued to ask questions. “Has anyone ever come to our house? Tell me, Riley!” Herbert shot his sharp gaze into Riley's eyeballs.

“We live in the middle of a forest that has never been touched by outsiders. No one knows where we are. I don't understand, why until now you still detain us. You promised Avraam we would return to the village when Brockley was eight years old if they lost the war. If they win the war, we won't have to stay in exile for long. Our purpose in seclusion is to keep us and Brockley safe. Some of the exiled villagers are just like us. If they win the war, for us to stay in this forest for long?” Riley poured out all his frustrations after nearly twenty years of exile.

In fact, that was not the answer Herbert expected. Actually Herbert just wanted to know who was the man Riley loved while there were only three other people in the house. He thought it couldn't be his children and nephew. And if the man was himself, why did Riley snap back at him?

Herbert repeated his question again. "Someone you used to know twenty years ago?"

Riley didn't take long to think. "Yes, I knew him almost twenty years ago."

Herbert reminisced about a group of boys who were close to Riley back in the country. Could be a study friend in college. Or a trader in the market. The teacher? Neighbor?

Herbert couldn't keep guessing. "Tell me who the man you love!" Herbert insisted.

Increasingly uncomfortable, Riley didn't even care about Herbert's last words. She waltzed out of the house, only the words excuse me were spoken. "In the afternoon we will go home." Riley rushed over to Brockley and Lothar.

Even though Riley had been paying a lot of attention lately, it didn't mean that she expected anything from Herbert. To her self, Herbert was like his own brother, like Avraam and Megan.

However, not according to Herbert. He thought that Riley's good attitude so far was like a sign, especially after Yara died, Riley was like a lover to him.

Not running out of ways, finally one day, once his body was a bit healthy, Herbert ordered Brockley and Lothar to go to the market. Only this time he allowed the others to go far away.

"We haven't shopped in a long time. Our grain and spices are running low. You also bought plenty of meat and fruit to stock up on. Go!" Herbert gave them two gold and thirty pieces of silver.

Because it was their first time out of the forest, Brockley and Lothar jumped for joy. They are both happy nian it feels like they can enjoy the outside atmosphere. Worse, the two men had never even met a stranger once.

When they walked through the forest for about fifteen minutes, Lothar was suddenly startled by something. "Little brother, we don't have any weapons with us. How about we run into the baddies later?”

Brockley flinched. "That's right. We have to carry guns to stay safe. All right, Bro, wait here, I'll just go home for a while." Brockley turned around and half ran.

As he approached the wooden house, Brockley suddenly heard Riley's screams from inside the house. Not long after, the sound of ceramic breaking was heard.

Ctar!

"Riley!" muttered Brockley grinning his face. Once near the door, Brockley jumped high then straightened his right leg and lunged at the door.

GAR!

The door immediately opened and broke even though it was locked tightly.

Surprisingly, Brockley saw his uncle about to ambush Riley's beautiful body.

Meanwhile Riley was already cornered and had a very scared look on her face.

“What did Uncle do to Riley?!” Brockley stared and grinned even more. “Stay away from Riley!” Brockley stepped forward while clenching his fist.

Herbert snorted angrily and stared fiercely with emotion. “You are my nephew Brockley! Why are you coming home? Do you want to be disobedient to your uncle?”

"I'm going home to get a gun because I'm afraid I'll meet criminals." Brockley looked straight into his uncle's eyes and said very coldly. "As it turns out, the villain is here."

"You don't ever have the same thoughts as your uncle!" snapped Herbert angrily.

"If Uncle isn't evil, why did Sis Riley get scared like that?"

Riley dragged her weak body and drew closer to Brockley. If Brockley didn't come home, the native could have raped her by Herbert. She said weakly, “Your uncle is mean. He asked me to be his wife, while I didn't want to nor did I love him even though I had told him so many times."

Currently, Brockley is an adult and can certainly read the situation. He learned a lot from these two people. Herbert and Riley taught him many meaningful lessons so that he became a mature and intelligent man.

Brockley regrets Riley's actions. Why had Riley never told her before? Knowing that his uncle was mean, let alone acting lascivious, Brockley was furious. He didn't care how good his uncle was if he had really bad intentions.

"Uncle Herbert wants to rape Sis Riley?" snapped Brockley, narrowing his eyes. He installed the horses that his uncle had taught him so many times. Ready for battle.

“Watch your attitude, Brockley! By making such gestures and speaking loudly in front of me, it means you don't know the meaning of thanks and don't respect your uncle. You are twenty years I raised and I educated, while you challenge me? What kind of nephew are you?” Herbert started to get angry.

“I have always respected and loved you, Uncle. I already consider you the same as my own biological father. Don't say that I disobeyed you. But you need to know too. I already consider Sis Riley like my own biological mother. He was also very helpful to me. I respect and love her, therefore if Uncle is impertinent to her, I am naturally very angry. I don't like it when someone, anyone, wants to hurt my mother's feelings, let alone that person wants to f*ck her."

Watching Brockley who was so dashing, Herbert smiled faintly as he shook his head. “You grew up on me, Brockley. You can be like this because of me.”

"Does Uncle want to do the math?"

"No. I don't want to do the math for you. But, I'm even surprised you even challenged your own uncle. Take care of your speech and facial expressions in front of me. I don't like you like that."

Brockley took two steps forward, rolling up his sleeves. “I don't like it more when Uncle acts like that to Sis Riley. If Sis Riley doesn't want to be Uncle's wife, don't force her! Uncle's act of wanting to have sex with Sis Riley was a big crime for me. Because of that, I want to defend her!”

"You want to fight with Uncle?"

"Yes! I want to fight you, Uncle!”