Alicia stumbled in front of the village's gate at dawn. She was exhausted and didn't have much energy from all the running. She collapsed in front of the gate. As she closed her eyes, she saw a guard running towards her. She thought maybe, just maybe, everything would be alright. The guard quickly lifted her and brought her inside the village, to the village clinic. The physician there checked her and prescribed some medicines for exhaustion. The guard soon went out and brought the village elder.
After half a day, she woke up surrounded by strangers. Every one of them had a look of worry.
Alicia, in a muffled voice, spoke,
"Um... where is this? .... Who are you all?"
The village Elder, with a gentle smile, introduced,
"You are in Skystead, a village near Oston city. I am Henry, this village's elder. May I know your name, little one?"
Alicia hesitated. Henry sensed this hesitation. He spoke,
"It's alright if you don't want to speak. I am not forcing you. Your recovery comes first. We will wait for introductions later."
Alicia sighed in relief internally. She decided not to tell her real name as warned by her Uncle. She spoke up in a huffed voice,
"No need for that, Elder Henry.... I am Kaitlyn. I just hesitated... for a while because of all the strangers..."
Elder Henry spoke,
"If you can speak more, can you please answer some of my questions, Kaitlyn?"
Alicia (Kaitlyn) replied,
"No.. I am very tired... I can barely... form words right now... Can you please... ask afterwards?"
Henry, in agreement, said,
"Yes, of course. Please take your time. It is already evening. Let us talk tomorrow". Alicia thanked Elder Henry. Elder Henry left for his house. The guard also left with the Elder.
Alicia rested alone for a while before the Physician came to check in on her. The Physician was an older man who smiled and greeted her warmly. He brought some food for dinner and gave it to Alicia. Throughout the interaction, he was kind and gentle toward her. He left as it was getting late. Alicia slept on the bed, and a lot of thoughts came to her. After her parents' murder, she never saw a stranger being kind to her. This was all quite new for her. She wondered if this was a blessing or an affliction. With all these thoughts in her mind, she fell asleep at midnight.