"You have more purpose than you think."
What?
Is that Dillon…?
I open my eyes and stare at a ceiling I've never seen before.
Well, I don't remember seeing it, but it feels strangely familiar.
I start sweating and groan as a headache even worse than the one I had back at the slave camp starts to kick in.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
I call out shakily.
Soon, I hear gentle footsteps.
A little girl, about the age of ten or eleven, opens the door carrying a tray of food.
I quickly slow my breathing and wipe the pained expression off my face to avoid frightening her.
"Mama told me to bring you this."
The girl quickly walks over and places the tray on my bedside table.
Surprisingly, the food looks very well-made for something a child put together.
"I'm sorry if it doesn't look good…"
I quickly stop her.
"No, no, don't be sorry. It actually looks really good!"
The girl looks at me smiling.
"Really?"
I pat the side of my bed, inviting her to sit.
"I don't know that much about life at all… but I can rely on one thing."
I pause, choosing my words carefully.
"If you doubt yourself, you'll never get anywhere… people like you and me… We can do a lot more than we think we can; we just need to stop limiting our abilities by telling ourselves we can't."
She reminds me of myself.
I used to limit myself by not even attempting to get out of bed, but I was able to do it when I did.
Then I realize I'm getting too emotional about some food.
"Sorry about the whole boring speech… I'll let you go now."
The girl wipes a tear from her cheek.
"It wasn't boring, mister! You're limiting yourself now too!"
I realize my hypocrisy and feel a pang of embarrassment.
I just got called out by a little girl.
"Thanks, sweetie. Now go see if your mother needs any help."
The girl hops off the side of my bed and skips away.
"Okay! I hope you get well soon!"
She disappears into the doorway.
***
Soon, after I finish eating my food, I hear heavier footsteps approaching my room.
When the door opens, I see a familiar face.
"Hey, bud! How's it going?"
A man my age stands in the doorway, leaning against it with a smirk in a way that reminds me of a certain character.
His name is Fritz; I've known him since we were little boys, and conveniently, he lives just next door.
He'd always come over and play cards with me or listen to the stories I'd write.
I've gotten a little tired of his energy, but I can't ever get tired of my best friend.
"Hey Fritz…"
I'm really not in the mood, but I can't just brush him off.
"I have a question for you…"
His eye slightly twitches with anticipation.
"Yes?"
Fritz takes a deep breath.
"WHY WERE YOU GONE FOR A WEEK AFTER THOSE GOONS RAIDED THE VILLAGE, AND HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET IN THE FOREST WITH A WOUND ON YOUR BACK COVERED IN BLOOD NEXT TO A DEAD DIRE WOLF HOLDING A BLOODY SWORD AND WEARING A HELMET?"
Oh no.
I never told him about the time I stood up.
"Well… It's a long story… but I actually wasn't sick; I just didn't have an energy level."
Fritz gasps.
Then he nods.
"That makes sense."
Wow, he was really chill about that… somewhat.
He's definitely a character.
Just like Hades, but without the evil, rude, and prideful part.
He's also kind of like my dad…
Then the mood started to fall quickly when a thought came to me.
Where is my family?
My mom was with my dad and sister before Hades came.
My dad was showing them where he works, so… wait… my dad works at the lumber mill.
and the lumber mill is… at the foot of the mountain… where the dragon attacked…
no
No!
NO!
They were at the lumber mill!
"Fritz, where is my family?"
Fritz immediately tenses up and chuckles nervously with a fake smile.
"Uhh, dunno. Did you try that new restaurant down the street?"
"WHERE IS MY FAMILY?"
Fritz curses under his breath, clearly not wanting to tell me.
"I was going to wait till you were better until I told you, but… your family… I'm so sorry, Griffin."
Fritz starts tearing up, Then he runs over to me, falls to his knees, and grabs my arm.
"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I was too far away to save them!"
I don't respond.
I just stare at the ceiling.
My family was my purpose.
What am I supposed to live for now?