Chapter 6:
Third Perspective, Elizabeth>
Elizabeth held Neo in her arms, while he closely embraced the wooden slabs, which were once a well-design pail, as she trekked through a field, that was filled endlessly, with wilting, pale wildflowers, and waist-high, seemingly, ethereal grass.
The withering blades of plants, and the sylphlike, velvet petals, grazed delicately against her hands, tickling them to no end, as the wind started to pick up, blowing coldly against her face, nipping at her flesh, causing her to slightly frown in discomfort.
...
"Mama?"
"Yes, dear?"
"笑一笑,十年少"- Xiào yī xiào, shínián shào, [Once you smile, you'll be ten years younger.] or, [Happiness is the best cosmetic.]
"..."
"Neo."
"Are YOU CALLING ME OLD?"
◢✥◣
BEEEPPP.
"Time out everyone."
"Neo. William. Evalen. FranCais."
"How DARE you, call me OLD."
"I AM AS YOUNG AS HELL, OK?"
"PeriodT."
"YOU SEE THIS? "
"THIS ASS IS BOOTIFUL."
"MY FACE?"
"MORE YOUTHFUL THAN AN INFANT."
"WHERE., JUST WHERE ON THIS VIGOROUS BODY, DO YOU SEE THE WORD, "OLD"?"
"YOU SEE THIS LITTL-"
"Shut up, dead skin cells are flying out of your mouth."
"Wait. I'M NOT DONE-"
"Ahem..."
"Let's continue director."
◢✥◣
Her legs moved at a steady pace, climbing up the barely-usable, pebble road, that was probably carved out several decades ago, considering how disconnected, and noncontinuous the entire thing was, not to mention; it was hardly safe.
Nonetheless, Elizabeth wrapped her hands around Neo, strengthening her grasp around him, and continued to cautiously observe the terrain beneath her, after all, a fatal slip, could mean the end of both of them; the mountain was steep, much more so than she can barely handle.
"Mama?"
"Yes, dear?" Elizabeth responded, as her eyes were glued, ever-so tightly onto the ground, before gazing up above, towards the rest of the forest, and steep steps out of simple curiosity of, just what the rest of her journey looked like while pondering how to approach them.
.
.
"Is grandma...Going to die?"
.
.
The oxygen in the air seemingly started to thin out instantly, causing Elizabeth to subconsciously gag the moment, Neo had let out those mere, five words. Yet, even though it was such a sudden, substantial question, sorrowfully, Elizabeth had already known he'd ask her this question, today, or another.
By any means, after spending three years in poverty, alongside the body's original host's, mother, Elizabeth had grown very attached to her, and even despite that she hadn't spent a lengthy period of time, in this world at all.
Perhaps it was mainly because they lived in isolation, barely socializing with any other households, other than the food vendors, who sold their products down the mountain, in the bustling, busy city. Or perhaps, it was the cause of her mother's pity, of having Elizabeth give birth so young, that she had taken extra-care of her, and tried not to irritate her, in fear she'd, "give up."
Either way, Elizabeth felt no need or even had considered cursing her mother with death or jinx her, in fact, well...It hadn't crossed her mind, with the exception of once or twice, but she never intended to.
But, despite that, she still prepared herself these past few years, of how to explain to her son, of his grandma's sickly stature, which she painfully prepared during her, "Pondering About the Future Sessions." Which was when she laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep, while her mind started to float to untended thoughts or business; knowing it was inevitable to avoid it.
As ultimately, Elizabeth knew her mother's health was deteriorating at a rather fast pace, and it seemed persistent to stricken her body ill, and especially due to their insufficient funds, they couldn't do anything; doctors weren't an option, and medicine was barely available.
It was quite obvious that she wasn't healthy.
A complicated situation, eh?
Sighs.
This only made it even more difficult for, both Elizabeth and her mother, as they couldn't even hide it from Neo, who may not be able to handle his emotions properly if the worse came to be.
Who would want to tell their child, or grandchild, that someone, who they held dear, was slowly collapsing to death?
Naturally, they had tried to hide it from him; trying to let him sleep in a different room, making him stay outside during the day especially, more so whenever his grandma's sickness started to worsen.
They had even resorted to restricting his access to the kitchen; where the herbal smell of medicine was the most profound.
But, unfortunately, they weren't able to escape his keen eyes.
After all, it was probably somehow suspicious, even to a three-year-old; his mother worked all day, in the fields, becoming a free laborer, working from house to house, often not coming home, until quite late. Even when she did, all she'd have in her hands, were some copper coins, that she held preciously, with a fatigued-like manner dyed over her entire body, and dirt all over her patched clothing.
.
.
.
Elizabeth stopped all movement, as she slowly turned her head towards her whimpering son, before slowly forcing a smile on her face.
I'll just lie...It's...Alright...
Mother already knows she doesn't have much time left...No matter what miracle medicine is given to her...
But, I obviously can't tell you that, my sweet Neo.
So...I'll just lie...
Just...Lie...Don't blame me, alright?
"It depends dear, if grandma gets a miracle medicine, she'll be able to live for a thousand years."
Elizabeth whispered in a calm, low tone, letting out a swift smile before she felt her eyes sting, and instinctively, she quickly turned around, as the tears in her eyes, finally started to slip out.
.
.
.
"Then...If we give grandma some herbs, she gets better?" Neo asked, as he shuffled around in Elizabeth's embrace, rapidly rotating his head in all directions, like a little puppy trying to pick a treat, after his owner surrounded him with piles of different options.
Awe, are you trying to find herbs?
Sighs.
You have goodwill, but, you'll never be able to find any herbs here...
"That's exactly right," Elizabeth replied, with a small gasp, as she wiped her tears with her hand, before she continued to climb up the mountain; grabbing onto a tree root, while her foot stepped on a small dirt platform, finally becoming able to climb onto the supporting, flat rock that laid above.
...
Only occasional, small grunts from Elizabeth could be heard, as Neo fell completely silent, and abnormally still, despite that he was utterly restless, just a moment ago.
Why's he so quiet?
Naturally, this relayed a hint of concern in Elizabeth, causing grab on another uplifted root, to ensure her's, and Neo's safety, before she finally turned around to her son, who, once again, had his eyes glued somewhere.
"Neo, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked as she observed her distracted son.
Neo gave nothing in response for a slight moment, before a small, "mmm...", seeped out of his glossy, rosy lips, as he slowly faced towards his mother with a bright smile, while he lifted his hands, pointing at something.
"Mother, you said that if grandma got a herb, she would be better, right?"
"Yep!" Elizabeth responded, still staring at Neo's face, staring especially at his cheeks, becoming swirled with a sense of wanting to touch his jiggling, plump face, not attending any attention to what he was trying to get at.
"Then, how about we get that for grandma?"
Elizabeth's eyes reverted from Neo's face to 5 meters away, where he seemingly tried to note at; under a small leaf, hid a glowing, ginseng-like root, yet despite the fact that it shone brilliantly, in gold, it seemed, "natural?"
HUh?
Are my eyes getting worse?
Or...
Is that a GLOWING PLant?