The Boy in The Woods.

Conrad finishes the first pine. Feeling dozy he contemplates on whether he should go home or keep drinking. Though he wants to leave he feels as if the drink was calling him. His hand moves on its own and reaches for the pine, Ian slaps it.

''Nuh uh, you've drank enough for the night. It's time to go home warrior.''

"But you still have 3 more left."

" Yeah, those were for me. You should be going home now."

Conrad agrees, waves goodbye and leaves towards the woods.

Conrad starts to feel a little dizzy and he realizes that the rum started to kick in. He starts seeing the forest trees multiplying, making matters worse the forest seems to have become darker than earlier. Conrad wipes his eyes and encourages himself to focus on getting home safely.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally convinces himself that he only has one way to go home and instinctively moves forward. 

He runs slower this time, in fear of running against one of the trees. While running he hears rough noises, and they sound like a wild animal. He decreases his pace and quickly scans behind him and his left and right side. The moment he looks Infront of him he sees a tree but it's too late, then a loud bang echoes through the forest. He falls softly on the thick grass. Luckily, he was able to reduce the impact by trying stretch his arms in front of his torso and mostly succeeded but still left a small injury on his forehead. 

His forehead was bleeding a little, but he was still conscious. Though conscious he remained on the grass trying to digest everything that has happened to him this evening. Through his thinking process he also realizes how calm the forest is, as a gust of wind breezes through including the soothing sound of the river's flow.

The soft grass, cool wind and tuning river sounded so therapeutic for Conrad, at that moment he felt so tired. For him this is the exact position he has been longing for, where he is not tied with any stress and pressure just peace. It's the right place where he can just fall asleep...

Suddenly the growling sounded closer than before making Conrad quickly jump up and start scanning his surroundings again. The noise sounds close, but he can't identify where its coming from. As he is about to sprint, he sees a figure that seems to be eating something abruptly. 

Conrad starts to become nervous and starts sweating, his heart seems to be beating faster. As the figure is devouring its meal, Conrad presses his back against the tree trying to remain hidden. Different thought processes come to mind; his fear intensifies as fears to die along with the thought of regretting for coming out of the castle.

He was so distracted by his fear that he didn't even notice the ''animal'' wasn't there anymore. Conrad felt relieved assuming that the thing has left after finishing its meal. He decides it's his chance to quickly rush back to the palace before this creature catches him. 

Before he dashes off the dashes off, the dead body of the antelope catches his attention. He pauses dead on his tracks and becomes sick to his stomach. The predator left markings with its clenching claws and fierce teeth all over the antelope's body. Its tongue is sticking out of its mouth and its eyes are lifeless, its blood spread everywhere with the intestines fully out of the body. The predator fully dissected its prey inside and out. 

The horrible scene of this event seemed to intrigue Conrad a little. He knew looking at it was horrific, but he couldn't bring himself to looking away from these remains. To Conrad this was scientific and interesting how the circle of life works, and he wanted to examine the body longer, but he thought of going home. But then suddenly the air got thicker.

Someone was creeping behind him.

The feelings and thoughts Conrad had earlier resurfaced as he suddenly felt chills crawling up his spine. He felt a strong presence of a beast lurking behind him, rustling noises start to arise from the corner of his eye. He quickly turns around spot the enemy, but the rustling noises stops.

Conrad starts to get urge of getting out of there as soon as possible and the moment he was about to sprint, he was stopped on his tracks.

A kid holding a sharp stone that's oozing with fresh blood. The kid holds the stone closer to Conrad's neck threatening him not to move, from his nose to his chin was filled with blood along with his clothes. His clothes are dirty and filled with blood. He looked like he hasn't bathed in a long time by the way one would look at him and the stench that's coming from him. Conrad panics and doesn't know what to do with the predicament. Conrad notices that the boy is a moor.

''What are you doing moor? You know I'm the prince of Algoria right? If you kill me, you'll have the whole kingdom hunting for you!''

The kid didn't seem fazed by the fact that Conrad was a prince nor scared. He clenched the stone tighter and held it closer to Conrad's neck. Conrad observed his surroundings and tried to think on how he could settle the conflict, thinking on whether he should fight or negotiate for his life. The boy's eyes are locked in towards Conrad and he doesn't seem to be blinking. 

''Listen... If you let me go, I can give you a lot of gold!! as much as you want!!''

The boy doesn't answer, and it seems that he isn't interested in the offer that Conrad offered. 

''Please!''

Conrad closes his eyes, takes a deep breath. He suddenly goes on his knees and pleads to the boy to let him go.

''I'll do anything! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!'' he starts weeping.

The flood of tears drip down his face and he follows up by banging his head on the grass asking for mercy from the boy. He remains on the position for some time. He realizes the silence in response. Conrad lifts his head and opens his eyes to find the boy disappeared. Blood slides down his face as result from banging his head on the grass, but he didn't feel the pain but the felt relief. He just wanted to home.

...

When he finally arrived in his room, he did nothing but go straight to bed.

...

'' Your Highness... Your Highness''

Conrad dismisses the butler's attempts to wake him up and covers himself with the thick and warm bed sheets.

''Your Highness, it's morning and you should be preparing for school."

''I'm not feeling well today, so I won't be attending school, nor will I be heading to breakfast today.''

''Should I request Doctor Van Haul'' 

''It's fine Godfrey, I just need some rest.''

Godfrey goes to exit the room and before he closes the door, he decides to leave a massage to Conrad.

''Your Highness, the next time you leave the palace for the city you should invite me.'' 

''How did yo-''

Before he could confront Godfrey, the door has already been shut.

Last night's experience was an eye opener for Conrad. He learnt the difference between him and the commoners, that they had nothing different from one another except their titles. Him bonding with a complete stranger in a way he always thought was unappropriated and rude. He begged for his life to a moor who is below inferior to him and seemed indigent. It opened his eyes and understanding towards life, the fact that it doesn't matter what status he is, at the end of the day they are all human.

Before he no need to respect commoners and people who are beneath him, and he would be very selfish on matters that would appeal as taking care of the poor or homeless. Things have changed a lot overnight.

His was convinced by his brother's new ideal.