Amber's House

He turned left, heading towards Amber’s house - and away from the village. She’s closest after all, so that makes sense. It was a pleasant walk to Ambers house, the trees leaned over the path in a way that spooked him when he was younger at night, but in the day it felt almost like they were hugging the path, sheltering it from the breeze in winter, and the heat in summer. He strode quickly, knowing the quicker he got to Amber’s the quicker Eve might be saved. But he also fretted a little, he had always liked Amber, found her very pretty - but jerking off to her last night seemed like a transgression, like he had betrayed her trust in some way.

In only a couple minutes, he had reached their fence and stepped into their garden. It was a neat and efficient place, all the vegetables in rows, and any plant who dared to reach a finger out of their designated zone would be quickly trimmed and composted. The garden was the domain of Mrs Jennings, Ambers mother. Will had a clear memory that came to him whenever he saw her of the time he had tripped and crushed her prized tomato plant - and she had spent the next twenty minutes berating him on manners and clumsiness. But mostly he remembered how her round face had turned a bright red, not unreminiscant of the tomatoes he had squashed.

He strode through the garden, careful not to tread on any leaves or stalks up to the small house. It was a little larger than Will’s home, but it had to fit Mr and Mrs Jennings, Amber, and her two younger brothers; Oliver and Max, aged 8 and 5.

He knocked on the yellow door, once it had been bright and happy, but now it looked a pale and faded. He stepped back and waited for a few moments, hearing muffled calling from within, and then footsteps. The door pulled open and Amber stood there, she grinned at the sight of him, and pulled him inside. The door closed behind Will, and the familiar interior greeted him, he used to be here hanging out with Amber so often that it began to feel like a second home for him. Amber walked on ahead of him, going through the living room to her bedroom. Will followed her after pulling off his boots, greeting Mr Jennings as he passed. Ambers father was slouched on the couch, large hairy feet propped up on the coffee table. He had a bit of a pot-belly, and a short but messy beard. Will had never liked him much, it wasn’t that he was cruel or abusive, but just that he didn’t seem to care much - and certainly not much about Amber. He would go off to work as a lumberman every day, return, and sleep until the next, occasionally spending some time with his sons, but never much care for his eldest child.

“Morning Sir” Will addressed him, more formally than probably needed, but it was a habit.

“Morning son, how’d you feel about being a man?” Mr Jennings replied, his face hidden beneath a hand, massaging his forehead. He'd likely drunk far too much last night.

“Well, not too different.” Will responded,

“Watch out, Amber might try and marry you now - don’t let yourself get tied down by marriage! It’s a tiring business…” He mumbled, waving his other hand in the air non-descriptively. Will blushed a little - would Amber really consider marrying him?

“Ew! Dad, seriously??” Amber called from her room, and Will hurried along sheepishly, a little hurt at her reaction.

He stepped into her room, closing the door behind him, and found her sitting at her mirror brushing her hair. He sat himself on her bed and prepared to tell her what happened last night.

“Do you think I’m pretty?” She asked nonchalantly,

The question threw Will off completely and he stumbled over his answer.

“Wha- er.. Yeah, I think you’re pretty.” He shot out, “Why- why do you ask?”

“Oh.. no reason,” she said, though clearly there was. But Will didn’t have time for that right now, someone’s life could be in danger, so he moved on.

“Eve was kidnapped yesterday.” Will blurted, wanting to get it out there quickly.

“What?!?” Amber gasped “What do you mean??” She spun around to face Will, her face painted with shock.

“I heard screams in the forest, and ran out. I saw her being taken by Goblins - I tried to stop them, I - I nearly did stop them! But they took her!” Will divulged, the words spewing from him in a tumble.

To be continued...