The Night That Broke Chains

As Elzan followed the shadow, he saw a hooded sheriff heading to the bridge connecting the East and West Villages. His eyes weren't wrong.

The sheriff stopped at the middle of the bridge. He then stood beside the bridge lamp. Elzan hides behind a blind spot. The sheriff seems to be waiting for someone. 

As they waited for a while, the fog gets thicker as it's difficult to see objects from a far distance. Soon, Elzan sees a black figure getting closer from the fog. He narrowed his eyes to see what it was. As it gets closer to the sheriff, Elzan realised that it was the revenant.

Elzan was jaw dropped, shocked, he tried to stay hidden as his thoughts tried to connect the pieces. He looks at the sheriff but he seems not to have a problem with it. Elzan rubbed his eyes, making sure he was not seeing wrong. He then looks at the crates at the front. Crouching down, he quietly gets to the front to see clearly.

Sheriff: "Please, I'm begging you… I'll pay double…"

Elzan was confused and shocked after hearing that,

Elzan (thinking): "What? What is he talking about?"

Sheriff: "I promise this will be the last time… please…"

As Elzan listened, he couldn't hear any response from the revenant. He then saw a bag given by the sheriff to the revenant. Elzan was shocked, he had lost his words, why would the sheriff work with the revenant? So many thoughts are compressed in his mind as he tries to catch up.

Soon, the sheriff walks away but the revenant has vanished from the sight. Elzan tries to find the revenant but he is nowhere to be seen.

Back at the West Village, when the sheriff is returning home, he was grabbed by his collar from behind. He was dragged to a dark ally but then stopped under the street lamp.

It was Elzan who dragged him.

Elzan: "Mr Wilson, you better explain yourself right now!"

Sheriff: "E-Elzan…?"

Sheriff was stunned to see Elzan, his body began to shake as he looked around.

Elzan: "You've been working with the revenant, haven't you?! How long?!"

Sheriff: "H-Have you been following me? Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

The sheriff pulled Elzan's shirt.

Sheriff: "Listen, kid, not many people know about this, but there are so many things that you don't know about the revenant and the world…"

Elzan: "What are you talking about?"

Elzan pushes in defense. He remains silent, waiting for the sheriff's response.

Sheriff: "There are consequences to know the truth, kid… But you seem to be so determined about it… Why..?"

Elzan: "Because I want to know the truth… I'm tired of all the secrets, of everything being a mystery. Why shouldn't we get to know what's actually going on?"

Sheriff: "You're not ready yet… Being curious is never good… But remember this… every choice comes with a price."

The sheriff looks at Elzan with a cold look before he walks away.

Elzan: "Wait!! I need answers!! DON'T JUST WALK AWAY LIKE THAT!!"

Elzan runs after the sheriff, but due to the loudness, the villagers are now awake.

Man1: "What's going on out here?"

Man2: "Yeah, who's out here making a racket at this hour?!"

Woman1: "Who dares disturb our sleep?! This is unforgivable!"

Elzan trembles. He has made the villagers awake and he can feel their eyes on him, filled with confusion and irritation. His hands trembles by the attention he has caused, and the weight of his actions presses down on him.

Elzan: "I-I'm sorry! But I need answers from the sheriff-"

Elzan tries to explain, but the angry villagers won't listen.

Man3: "Answers? Enough with the nonsense and go back to your mama's house!"

Woman2: "You've caused enough trouble… Go back to where you belong and get out of our village!"

Due to the rage of the villagers, Elzan couldn't tolerance any longer. He was left with no choice but to leave the village. He felt pain, thinking he had come this far but had to leave with more mysteries in this thoughts. His thoughts and curiosity grew more as he walks back home.

Once he got back home, he was welcomed by his concerned grandmother.

Gloria: "Elzan, dear… Where have you been? Do you know I worried I was?"

Elzan looks at his grandma with sorrowed eyes, he looks down at the floor, avoiding eye contact.

Elzan: "I'm sorry grandma… It's just… I thought I could find answers…"

Gloria: "Oh Elzan… Your curiosity has never gotten less as before… And you're so stubborn… Please listen to your grandma… All I'm doing is to protect you… from the unknown danger… You need to stop your engerness about the revenant… It's for the better of you…"

Elzan looks at his grandma, he sees how his grandma is doing for his own sake. He thinks for a while and then makes a decision. He looks at his grandma and smiles softly.

Elzan: "Yes, grandma… I'll be the better person now…"

His grandma smiles in joy. She was glad that her grandson had finally understood.

Gloria: "That's my boy… I know you can still be taught…"

The grandma went inside her room, as Elzan walked to his room. He glanced out the window one last time before finally entering his room.

The next morning…

Gloria: "Elzan… breakfast's ready…"

The grandmother calls out from the kitchen. She then walks towards Elzan's room to wake him up.

Gloria: "Wake up now… I made your favourite pancakes-"

The room is messy, the bed sheets are on the ground, the window is wide opened. After witnessing this, she has realised that her grandson has run away from home. In panic, she quickly runs outside to search for him. But she sees no signs of him. Her heart races as she begins to worry about her grandson. She runs towards the village to get some help.

In the meantime, in the forest, Elzan looks at his pocket watch and then fixed his bag almost fell from his shoulder. He has made a decision. A decision which he can't return back…