39 Lover Boy (1/2)

Rock ran out of the barn and into the town square. He was spinning around looking for Dawn, or at the very least someone that knows where Dawn could be in the town. It was dark outside, with only a few torches lighting the night. He managed to find the mother that babysits for Dawn. Rock often finds her sitting next to the well with her child and Dawn's baby. Her name was Mabel.

Mabel was sitting outside her porch while a small pit of fire, keeping the darkness away. Her home was a large boarding house that houses thirty families. She watched her child swinging on a wooden plank hanging on the porch roof. Dawn's baby was not with her, which means Cala is not with Dawn. That could also mean that Sum is with Dawn.

Regardless, Rock wants to confess his feelings to Dawn before its too late. He walked up to Mabel and asked, ”Hey Mabel. Have you seen Dawn by any chance?”

”Sorry, but no. Dawn runs away. Rumor says Sum give Dawn to Cala to play.”

”What!” Rock yelled out loud, startling Mabel.

”Mabel sorry. No mean to anger Rock.” She said, shielding her face with her arms.

Mabel's son got off to the swing and ran up to Rock. He started to kick Rock on the leg. ”No, hurt Mama. I kill who hurt Mama.” The kid continued to kick and punch on Rock.

”Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just got surprised.” Rock tried to calm down Mabel, but the closer he got, the more defensive she gets. While shifting her arms around, Rock noticed she had bruises under her left eye. ”Woah, what happened to your eye? Ouch!” Rock looked down at the kid hitting his leg. He raised his hand and placed it on the kid's head.

”Wait, no hurt!” Mabel cried.

”You're a strong boy, aren't you.” Rock giggled while petting the boy's head. ”Bet you'll grow stronger than me.”

”I grow stronger 'cause I pure blood!” The boy boasted. He stopped hitting Rock's leg and started showing off his muscles.

Rock turned to Mabel, who finally lowered her guard and calmed down. ”Mabel, are you calm now?”

”Yeah,” She whispered.

”Good. I need to know where I could find Dawn. Do you know where she could be?”

”Dawn run to meadows. Down south, there is tree. Mabel play with Dawn there.”

”Thanks!” Rock jumped off the porch and ran.

”Wait!” Rock stopped and turned around. ”Sum ask Mabel earlier where Dawn is, so Rock needs careful.” She said while hiding her bruises.

”I'll be careful!” Rock yelled while running into the dark of night. While traversing the town, Rock overheard goblins gossiping about Dawn and Sum. The more he heard, the more he got angry. But he knows well that anger alone will blind him. He has another emotion that he needs to convey.

Dawn was leaning on the tree in the middle of the meadow. The moon and stars painted the sky over her head. She held her baby close to her chest and wiped her tears with the baby's clothes. A warm orange glow could be spotted from a distance. It got closer and closer to Dawn and her son. The light was warm and inviting, but Dawn knows that the cold is the safest place for her. The goblin carrying the torch was Sum. His face looked colder than the winter breeze passing by Dawn.

Dawn turned her back, hiding her son between her body and tree. The baby began to squirm around her embrace as it tries to break free. His tiny hands wiggled through the binding and out into the cold. Dawn pressed her baby closer to keep it from getting exposed to the cold. ”What Sum want?” She said while facing the tree, ”Sell Dawn to Cala? That what Sum want?”