There it is, Yaan thought while looking at the burned house situated at the edge of a cliff from the bottom of the mountain, finally, I found it, it is the only place that is not destroyed yet, and where I can find something of value.

  Yaan moved forward and started climbing the mountain. The corners of the mountain were slippery and were difficult to hold onto as it was raining consistently from last two days.

  He saved himself from falling a few times and managed to climb up to the mountain, as he looked down, he was able to see the forest at the bottom of the mountain, and he was also able to see the lit torches from his village beyond the forest.

  A beautiful sight, indeed. Yaan thought, sometimes I feel like witches live a more peaceful life then other people, they make hut in such beautiful places and stay isolated from society and especially chaos. It is sad that many of them were burned alive for crimes they didn’t commit; they are punished because people believe them to be harmful, without having any proof that they committed the crime.

  “Anyway…” said Yaan, “I should do the work for which I am here for and then return home before my mother sends my uncle to bring me back.”

  He went to the entrance of the door and tried to open it, but it was jammed, so he kicked on the door, and the door flung open.

  Hate to do that, such bad manners, except there isn’t anyone living in the house, of course.

  He gradually entered the house and found it covered with webs, termites, and all the pests that can be found in the living world. An eerie smell was around the place; he covered his nose and kept walking inside the house.

  I need to get out of this house soon, or else this smell is going to kill me.

  He searched all over the place and found nothing but burned scraps.

  “Looks like coming to this place was a complete waste of time,” he said to himself, and started moving out of the room but as he stepped on the floor near the doorstep, he heard a strange sound from the floor.

  He moved his foot back, then again stepped on that place and heard the same sound again. He quickly crouched and tried to lift the wooden plank, which was part of the floor, but it didn’t move as it was firmly attached.

  I also didn’t bring any tools, how I’m supposed to move this wooden plan…looks like I have no choice.

  He got up and kicked the wooden plank 3 to 4 times, and it got cracked open. He crouched and tore the broken part of the wood which was still slightly attached, he started moving his hand inside that place until his hand hit a chest.

  What it is, a chest inside the wooden planks… maybe it will contain gold, silver, and ornaments. He took out the chest with a grin, never thought that I would find such a treasure in this old, burned, and abandoned house. Wait… why the chest doesn’t have a lock?

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  He opened in the chest and found nothing but a big, thick book covered with dust.

  What did I expect and what did I find, why would the owner keep it inside the chest? Maybe this will contain the personal information of the owner and may be the places where he kept his belongings stashed away.

  He put the book in his bag and went out of the house. He was standing at the edge of the mountain and was looking down at his village.

  Came so far thinking I will get something valuable in that house, but found nothing but scraps and an old book. I should return to my home before my mother goes to my uncle to bring me back.

  He climbed down the mountain, as he stepped on to the ground and turned back, he found his uncle standing before him. “Not again…” he walked away in disbelief.

  “You first have to listen to me,” said Earon

  “Not again… uncle,” said Yaan, “I’m old enough to be out by myself.”

  “Please listen, Yaan.” Earon turned him around.

  “What…what do you want to say?” said Yaan, “that it’s risky to go outside… my life is in danger…”

  “You have to understand, Yaan, you should understand our concerns for you,” said Earon

  “I feel like my life isn’t my own. I can’t do anything myself except just follow the instructions given by all of you,” said Yaan, “these scars on my body for which I’m known to be cursed didn’t do that damage, which you all have caused me.”

  “All of this is for your own safety,” said Earon. “You already know that all the village people keep finding ways to kill you; we will not be able to protect you if you can’t understand this simple thing.”

  “Then why don’t you let me go away from this village? I will not be in danger then.” Said Yaan

  “You know, when you were born, your father and mother wanted to leave this place with you, leaving me behind, who has always considered them family. That’s why…” Earon got interrupted

  “You swear an oath to protect me for the rest of my life…I know,” said Yaan, “but you also know that you can’t protect me my whole life, I’m grown up now.”

  “I know, but I will protect you as long as I can because you are my nephew,” said Earon

  “You have to understand, uncle,” said Yaan, “I also want to explore the world, do the work I like, live my life in my own way.”

  “I know,” said Earon with a smile

  “By the way, how did you know that I would be here?” said Yaan, “I remember that I didn’t tell you anything this time.”

  “As I told you, Yaan, you are my nephew,” said Earon, “I’ve watched you since your childhood, I’ve observed you, I know all you like and dislikes. I also know that you are very interested in collecting valuable and ancient things.” Yaan sighed

  “This is the only place in the entire place where you can find something like that, as in other places you have already emptied them long ago.”

  “Uncle!!!!” said Yaan with a grin,” you have a hell of a mind.”

  “That thing I know, and I also know that if you didn’t come home right now, then your mother will not leave us alive.”

  “How did the mother get to know? She was in deep sleep.”

  “That is your fault,” said Earon, “you don’t observe really well.”

  “I would say that I’m very decent at it.”

  “Is that so?” said Earon, “then tell me the name of all the women in the village with their eye, hair, and skin color.”

  “Uncle!!” Yaan pushed him with a laugh

  Earon put his hand around his shoulder, “You are a man now, you should be good at everything, it will give you an edge above others.”

  Vaanya was sitting on a chair beside the chimney when both Earon and Yaan entered the house. She got up, she rushed toward Yaan and hugged him, “Where were you? How many times have I told you not go anywhere without telling me? Do you know how worried I was?”

  “I know, mother,” said Yaan, “uncle told me.” Earon laughed

  “This is all your fault,” said Vaanya while looking at Earon

  “What did I do? I’m the one who brought him back.”

  “You’re also the one who influenced him by your bad habit of hiding things.”

  “How am I responsible?” he asked, “I didn’t say to him to live life like me; it’s his decision.”