A broken man

[System restored, intrusive thoughts mildly suppressed.]

Spit on you! You cannot control the way I act! Wah!! Yet I cannot waste more time on a useless deity like you, so I'll move on because I don't want to give you more read time, not because you told me to!

[Yeah, okay.]

Sorry about that. As I described, we had come back full circle into my old home. It all seemed like a tasteless joke; what would the point of bringing me here be?! Ugh, whatever. I would let Alex handle everything unless I had to help.

David was the one to knock at the door, and soon, we were greeted by my ugly-looking Father. Alex's expression said everything he didn't expect to see my Dad.

"What do you want?"

"Sorry, sir, but you happen to be Kevin's son? Gerald, I believe."

"How do you know me?"

"Oh, I was good friends with your Father. Isn't he still around?"

"He died when my firstborn got here, then my mother followed him. Why were you looking for something?"

"Yes, indeed. Well, I'm sorry to have bothered you, sir.:"

"Wait! Don't leave yet! I continued my Father's business! I might have whatever you're looking for!"

With that, the dust had settled; we walked inside the house, and as expected, Alex and my Father went on to talk business while Old Mom treated David and me as special guests.

It was clear that there was something wrong with both of my parents. They looked saddened. It was like a truck had killed someone special to them or something. Could they really be mourning my death? But they said nasty things back then.

Alexander noticed it, too, and being him, he couldn't hold back and asked my Father directly. To which my Father explained he hadn't gotten over the death of his firstborn. He began to openly cry as he talked.

"I couldn't save them from their fate! I'm a horrible parent. I didn't even say goodbye to her properly. She died believing I hated her, and I can't get over that guilt."

"Sorry, I asked. I didn't know it was that hurtful."

"It's okay. I've had a worse reminder hanging outside my house for the past half a year."

"That was..."

Alexander didn't hesitate to comfort my Dad like he would his son. Even I felt bad for my Dad, I didn't know he suffered so much because of me. I really thought he hated me and wanted me dead.

But how was I supposed to know he didn't mean his words! He sounded so mean when he said he wanted me dead and all of that! It was his fault for being so naive! Well, maybe it was also my fault for being so brunt during my trial; I could've done better.

After a long time of sobbing and cringing, honestly, the two men finally calmed down; mostly, my Father was the one who had to control himself. Once he did, though, he informed us that he didn't have what we were looking for.

"Palladium? Dam, you're looking for something rare. I don't have any since no one ever needs some, but I know just the guy who might."

"Is he of your trust?"

"Yes, he was in business with my Father, so he should be trustworthy."

"How much do I owe you for your information?"

"Just let me hug your daughter once; she reminds me so much of her."

Alexander looked back at me as his eyes met mine. I let him know that it was fine. Soon, my old Dad came to hug me tight as he cried like a baby while doing so. It made me cringe a little, but I couldn't be that jerk this time.

I let my Dad cry his lungs out as he hugged me. I wished I could tell him I was Anabel, but I knew it wasn't a good idea. After all, I was a different person, so that would only confuse him.

Once he let me go, I saw even more sadness in his eyes as my heart sunk just a little bit for once. Fine, I would say my prayers for you, Dad! And I forgive your insulting final words towards me. I can see you're really repentant.

Soon, we mounted our horses back and headed for the next town in search of the Palladium needed for my weapon.