The Departure

   The morning has come peacefully as the night has passed warmly. It's 6 in the morning and the moderate coldness of air is felt around, still. Sonn got up and so waked everyone up. They got up from the floor (For some of them slept in the carpet), arose, exclaiming how cold  the air still feels.

   Sonn, then, went to the garden and there he picked fresh crops for today's breakfast - furthermore, the crops are bound to be harvested. They are fully grown. They are yet to have an animal farm. Which meats they eat are being purchased to the villagers. The two ladies, after washing their faces, went outside to observe the astounding field, left by the previous storm.

   Noel, as always, is benignant enough to follow and help Sonn cultivate the ground. As he always do, Sonn always think, whenever he approaches, that Noel is in his 'usual' intent to help - and so, Sonn often has the tendency to give him an awkward, uneasy, rapid stare. But they always work in agreement, grateful for the casual conformity offered by each other. So they, Sonn and Noel, together cultivated the ground and gathered crops.

   Simoun was left thinking what to do. He went to the counter at the kitchen and looked for something that he can do to ease and help. But he failed to find anything. At last, he decided to write and publish another project. He sat at the table and proceeds to scribble words in rapidity. It was then until the two ladies entered, which interrupted Simoun as he writes. He then stood and glanced at them for a moment, as if he was profoundly analyzing their being - as flesh to soul. And after he ponder the reality and escaped to his odd thinking, he told to them,

   "This is the ultimate breakfast that we are going to have with Alexandrovna." Simoun articulated. "Please be seated. I will go to the village and will purchase some beef." Added he, startling the two ladies for his eccentric behaviour. But Simoun abided, putting his written work in place. He went near the table and picked some chunks of emeralds to his pocket (for emerald is the village's currency) and went out, leaving the two lady in air.

   As he went out of the door, he glanced at Noel and Sonn which were working diligently. They work so focused that they did not even notice Simoun walking towards the village's gate.

   Simoun, then, pursued his intent and entered the village, get to the elevated part of it where many butchers live. He came across many vendors and such, displaying their items on the stone counter. The very foul smell of meat liberated around the air as he walks. Many villager met him and saluted.

   From the stiff soil where he was standing, he can see Enoch's house covered in banner still. He observed how villagers negate to even get near the house - making it appear very eerie. They know that it is a sinister hold - no one must get near.

   After some minutes of earnest perusal of that house which he bestowed his time upon, he bought a piece of beef. And just in time when he was about to go back, his intellect pounced in sudden - he suddenly recollected his study,

   "I... I must buy a piece of beef for Jane." He thought, "For that incident already went to show that they get hungry, too. They are mortal and they must be fed. I will cure her." It is his cerebral sentiment that won't leave her in place, telling him to feed Jane, 'for she is starving'. He bought five pieces of beef and another one - the one for Jane. He spent enough and got what he needed so he went back, discerning the village. . . His hasty walk accompanied by his preoccupied mind led him to something very perplexing... He did encounter Cosco and bumped into his sight, he stopped, scrutinizing the old man's composure, greeted him civilly and they happen to converse a serious affair which was commenced by Simoun himself,

   "Cosco..." His firm voice started, "I... I would like you to be the next head villager." With that words he received a stern, vexed stare.

   "Listen to me, young man. Put Jane to slumber." He declared without any cognizant of consideration. But we must not judge for the old man preceded, "It would be mortifying to discover that you ate your husband, would not it?" As the old man speak, he oddly draws his face near Simoun's - conducted by a peculiar facial expression.

   "N...no? It would be a great progress for us to... to be able to discover a cure for her!" Simoun argued, flinching back.

   "It would be an agony to her!"

   "Don't let her know, at least." Simoun, at last, said. He was evidently irritated and in immediate, he preferred to escape the strange Cosco. But he went back and said a word to him, "Give Enochy to me. I will adopt him."

   As he rapidly walk, the old man stood, severely watching him in void. To detail, ere as they talk, many butchers were watching them, vividly interested on their chatter.

   Simoun went down to the subsided part of village and there he went to the house where the haunting incident happened. He observed in intent how he will feed Jane. And the notion struck him - the standard door of a villager has a small whole where one tends to view an intruder who, at least, knocks - he could slip the meat through it and get away in instance. And he did so, walking weirdly as if he was a bulgar going around the house. He removed the banner covering the door. . .

   "Oh!" He was stunned, fell on the grass. Jane's face emerged from the hole! It caught the villagers' notice making them hasten! "Be calm! Be calm!" He stood off from the ground and rapidly slipped the meat into the hole - having him to do so, he covered the banner back, leaving Jane nothing but the piece of beef and the gloom.

   The violent bites was being heard! [CRRCHHH] Jane was so ravenous and based on the noises she produced, one may fancy that she is relishing over the meat so vehemently.

   Simoun left and walked away in dread, inwardly dying. He get outside the village and he saw over the house a tranquil occurrence. He went over and get inside seeing the the whole party moving to and fro the kitchen. Sonn initiated as he entered,

   "Where have you been, brother." The other was proceeding to prepare. The piquant aroma and the sharp hotness was liberating around - which is the air produced from the furnace.

   "My good self! Open the door, please. The hot gas will bake us!" Cried Noel.

   "I went to bought beef." He handed the beef to Sonn. The four worked synchronously while Simoun again went outside and back to the village. As to their pleasure, he left the door open wide for the cold air to enter.

   Simoun walks back, went to the village, get up the stairs, and went to Cosco. He knocked at the door and his clamor was heard.

   "Simoun! It was you." The elder was highly animated but his vexation is blatantly seen.

   "I... I want you to be the new Head-Villager." He civilly said.

   "Please come in." Cosco's house is traditionally composed and in eye is antique. He was made by his dweller seated - Simoun at this side and Cosco at the opposite. "I am willing to. But... listen. You must dispute Jane. She deserves a peaceful death."

   "Please trust me... Trust me... I know you are the father of this village but... But this time you have to trust the latter generation." He told him softly but his manly manner stayed.

   "What pain it would be to her if she discovers that... that she ate her husband?"

   "She will not know unless someone will tell her." Simoun responded while Cosco was solemnly listening. After such a sentence, Cosco did not responded but his disappointment is present. He stood and went outside, leaving his visitor alone. Simoun, then, followed him and as he went outside, standing on the stiff soil, he shouted,

   "To all! Greet Cosco, the new head-villager." The villagers applauded in blare and Cosco was awkwardly affected. He then ran inside his house and again, leaving Simoun in void.

   Simoun let the notion passed. He went down as if nothing happened and went to their main home just to see that everything is done.

   "Come in! Come in! Let us eat before Alexandrovna leave." Noel cordially welcomed. Everything was fixed, every foods were presented, and everyone is just to be seated. They sat at the table, following the old set-up, prayed, and eat the foods.

   It was 9AM and they were now on the table, ready to taste the work, and another conversation took place which is started by Noel,

   "Simoun, brother, when are we going to have our own home? Stacia and me?" Being included (for she did not bother to request as such), Stacia gave Noel an unpleasant look and alluded to Simoun,

   "It is not to bother about, Brother."

   "Ha-ha-ha! Well... I may get you two contracted to one of the best builder we have - We would be very busy." Said he as soon as he swallowed his food in relish. They seem to appreciate the food which they put their energy upon.

   "So delicious." Alexandrovna expressed. "Thank you for the breakfast... Though my departure is nearing, this would be very remarkable to me." Added she.

   They talked over which and what, including this and that. The scene was wholly animated in warmth and they talked until the end of the breakfast.

* * *

   It has passed, Alexandrovna needed to leave. The coachman was outside their house and her things are packed aside. Simoun, Sonn, Noel, and Stacia was eyeing the whole scene of her getting on the chaise, and getting her things on it so.

   They embraced, kissed good-bye, and watched in slight desolation.

  "Good-bye! We hope to see you back!" - Which statement is equivocal amongst them and gets the reply,

   "I will!"

   At last (It was 11AM), the chaise went by and they were left by themselves, entered the main-house, and cleaned the table.

   There was an evident grief present on Stacia's composure and the remaining party tried their best to make it fade.

   Everything is not certain, at least they had each other in their best. They yet have many things to put their tears and BLOOD upon.