Capital Villages(2)

Golden Inn, was essentially one of the many rest stops that many merchants and tourists stop at to rest after a long journey. The Inn was 2 stories tall with various rooms of different sizes. It was well known for its comfortable and homey nature that made customers keep coming back.

Jean pushed open the door with golden letters engraved in it, with the kids following behind him. The interior wasn't glamorous, however, it wasn't rundown either. Flowers accented the windows with gold-colored curtains to match. Tables with herbal vases stood in rows. Straight forward from the door lay a counter, with an elderly woman who smiled warmly at her new customers.

"My My welcome." The elderly lady greeted them. Jean paid his respects by bowing his head. The kids followed his example. This was a tradition to pay respects to the elderly.

" Evening ma'am, I'd like to request a large room please" The elderly lady nodded. Jean handed her the express passes.

" Ah, you must be from the suburban villages," she said smiling, Jean nodded " Indeed we are ma'am" The elderly lady sighed " you best be careful, I hear monsters have been destroying lots of villages"

"Oh really?" Jena acted surprised though he already knew. " Yes, it's unfortunate really, I hear there are not many survivors around. The latest village to be destroyed was Wheatonville…" She said, shaking her head sadly. The

Sorren stopped gazing around the interior and focused on the conversation. News traveled quite fast. " I see…" Jean said, nodding his head feigning ignorance.

The elderly lady glanced at the children. " My look at these adorable children, are they yours?" she asked, smiling. Jean shook his head. "Hiyaah, they wanted to see where I delivered my cargo but it ended up being late so they're pretty tired ya see," Jean said casually.

"Ahaha my my, Suburban villagers are truly hard workers in the sense, I'm sure your village must be proud to have someone like you there" The elderly lady nodded in admiration.

Jean nodded; he showed no expression of bitterness or anger; he simply looked relaxed. " haha well Yes I could only hope so…" He said.

"Oh don't be so modest, have some pride! I'm sure these young children here are proud of themselves to have such a good role model like you, it's quite rare for a young man like yourself to be so hard working. Seriously, men up here only have women on the brains" She said angrily, shaking her head.

Jean could only smile wryly at her claims.

Sorren frowned and stared at Jean, it was indeed not how the situation was, He was confused as to why Jean wasn't simply telling the old lady of their circumstances. The elderly lady handed Jean a large key.

"This here is your entry key, be sure to have it with you always when you leave and return. I'll show you all to your rooms" She said turning around. Jean bowed his head.

" Thank you, ma'am."

The elderly lady led them up a stairway behind the counter. They were led through a long hallway with blue walls with flower decorations. The hallway was filled with many brown doors with golden engraved numbers counting up from 30. Eventually, they were led to their room: Door 25.

" I hope you have a comfortable rest, dinner will be brought to your rooms soon," She said before going back down the hall.

Jean unlocked the door and a sweet smell of relaxing herbal scent flushed through their nostrils. The room had a large window with gold-colored curtains, 3 large beds near the window with plush coverings. A wooden table at the center decorated with a soft purple cloth.

Callie led the sleepy Cale to one of the beds. She patted her twin brother's head before lying beside him and closing her eyes herself. Sorren sat on the bed closest to the window. He glanced at Jean who was stretching his back.

Jean, who felt Sorren's gaze slightly glanced back. "You should get some sleep there lad, I'll wake you up when your dinner is here," He said quietly. Sorren nodded and slowly kicked off his shoes.

As he laid into the soft bed, a sweet clean smell enveloped him, a wave of exhaustion coursed through him. His large eyes slowly closed and he fell into a deep sleep.

Jean sighed before leaning back in the brown rocking chair. He felt through his shirt and took out a small locket.

*Clink*

He clicked it opened revealing 2 pictures. One was of him and Jenkins. Jean was only a child then and he was laughing as Jenkins carried him over his shoulders. Jenkins wasn't as old and frail then. Another image was of his parents.

Memories flooded his mind, of him and his family laughing. Images of them going to festivals and surveying foods, Jean learning he to ride a horse from his father, lying on his mother's lap when it would rain outside.

Gradually the laughter and happy memories died down and were replaced with screaming. He could see himself reaching out to his mother and father, as they were forcibly dragged away. Jenkins covering his eyes, shielding him from the sight of his mother and father being killed.

"This is reality Jean, You're a child no longer..." Jenkins said as Jean's tears leaked through his fingers. The young Jean bit his lips as a sob leaked out. The loud cheering of the crowd drowned it out.

He closed his eyes tightly and closed the locket. The sound of crickets and the breathing of the children slowly zoning out the thumping of his raging heart.