Hope of the Enviers: the Beginning Jack Winner: Hope of the Enviers, #1

By Amal Al Awadi

It's a story about struggle. A struggle of a child for staying with his family which hates him because of his envious eyes. They forced him to live with his eyes being covered out of fear of his power. Which made our hero the child Jack escape from his home to protect himself from this unjust. But, the path will take him to an adventure that will reveal to him the place of the envious people like him which will change his destiny totally. How will the meeting be? Will Jack settle down finally or what? The pages of this novel hold the answer to that.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amal Al Awadi
• Release date: Apr 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215539286

Book preview

The Truth

In Canada, Ontario, the Fifth House, Hones District, the events of our story unfolded in a modest, simple house, in which a small family lived, consisting of a father, a mother, and their three children—two girls and a boy. The father worked as a police officer, and the mother worked as a financial analyst in a bank.

As for the children, the eldest of them was Emily, a high school student, followed by Amy, a middle school student, and the youngest of them was the protagonist of our story and was named Jack. Jack was an eight-year-old boy who was blind and attended a school for the blind.

Jack was not born blind, but he contracted a disease that damaged the functioning of his eyes, causing him to go blind and to be hypersensitive to light, so his eyes were always covered with a black blindfold with a tightly tied black belt on top to protect them. And yet his condition was suspicious. It began to worsen as he grew older, so the blindfold of lies had to be unveiled sooner or later. The shocking truth would appear, in spite of everyone's dissatisfaction.

One morning before school, Jack woke up at seven on his own and wandered to the bathroom to take a shower, when he noticed that the belt had risen up slightly from the blindfold, which, lately, had been happening quite a lot. For that reason, he was forced to seek help from his mother to fix it, but with the days gone by, he had taught himself how to do this on his own by observing how she did it.

Jack thought to himself, Oh not again. How many times am I going to have to re-fix it?

In annoyance, he began to return it to its place, letting out a sigh of irritation every now and then. Surprisingly, a strange little dot suddenly appeared in front of him in the heart of the darkness that had surrounded him. He was stuck in his place out of surprise and confusion, but soon he was curious to know its cause, so he reached out his arms and approached it in hesitation, and the dot began to grow bigger, which was enough to break his hesitation and urge him to attempt to catch it. His feet led him to the window that was preventing him from catching it, so he tried to open it up, but he didn't know how to do that. His sense of helplessness angered him so much, and because he found himself unable to do anything, he began to think about what had happened.

What is that thing? Jack thought. It is so unlike the darkness that usually haunts me. My mother told me that darkness is black. If some other color or shape appears in it, it is abnormal and very strange...

He gasped, taking in this shocking change that he had never, in a million years, expected. Then, he thought, Anything contrary to blackness means vision! Yes, that's what they’ve always told me... Oh my God, it's unbelievable! Does this mean that I can see?! Am I really seeing?!

He grabbed his head with both hands in disbelief, and, with his heart filled with joy, he jumped around like a monkey, displaying his great enthusiasm.

I must tell my mother right away! Yes, she’s going to be so happy. And then I can get rid of the annoying belt and blindfold. He thought

He ran like the wind, rushing recklessly to herald this breaking news, leaving nothing in his path but that he collided with it. Nonetheless, he continued, indifferent to what he broke and to his physical aches. His soul was flying high, propelled by the intensity of his joy, and nothing could stop it—except him tripping on the stairs. He rolled down the staircase like a ball and quickly descended, causing quite a ruckus, which then attracted the attention of his mother, who had been setting the breakfast table. Thus, she put down the plate that was in her hand and hurried anxiously in the direction of the sound. Her heart trembled when she found him lying at the foot of the staircase, and she rushed to check on him.

Oh my God, son, Isabelle cried. Are you okay?

He got up as if nothing had happened.

Yes, I'm fine, Jack replied.

How did you fall? Isabelle inquired. Did you trip on something?

No, Jack answered, I was just in a hurry.

Come on, Jack, Isabelle scolded. Why were you running down the stairs so quickly? Did you forget that you were blind?

Not after today, Jack said. Everything has changed.

Oh my God, you must have hit your head! Isabelle fretted. Let me take a look.

Jack held his hands up and said, Hold on, Mom. I have some important news to tell you.

Isabelle shook her head, That can wait until later. You may be seriously injured.

She didn't give him a chance to talk and held his head to make sure he was safe. But he couldn't stand her ignoring what he was saying, so he finally shouted from the top of his lungs.

Mom, Jack exclaimed, I can see!

She paused, her pupils widening at the news, and in a voice filled with bewilderment, she asked him to confirm what she had just heard.

Isabelle gasped, What did you say?

He replied, with a big smile on his face, I can see, Mom. I can see.

Although she didn't know him to be one to joke about such important matters, the greatness of this news made her think that he was doing just that.

Is it really the time to be joking around, son? Isabelle scorned.

No, I'm not kidding, Mom, Jack said. It's the truth. I saw something strange— I don't know what it was, but it was different from the darkness that I’m used to.

You must have been dreaming, my dear, Isabelle said.

No, it's not a dream, Jack assured. I just saw it and then ran to tell you, Mom—believe me.

Honey, Isabelle stated, You can't see.

Jack blurted out, I swear I saw something! I just need to take off this belt and the blindfold, and I can prove it to you!

She shocked him with her violent reaction, as she grabbed both of his arms tightly and reprimanded him harshly in a high pitch that almost reached the level of screaming.

Jack, Isabelle inquired, Did you try to remove the blindfold?

Jack sputtered, No, Mom, I just—

Isabelle nodded disapprovingly, Didn't I tell you that your eyes are sensitive to light and that it is dangerous for you to uncover them without the supervision of a doctor?

Jack sighed, I know, Mom.

Then why are you saying it so nonchalantly? Isabelle asked.

I just wanted to prove it to you, Jack replied.

Prove what? Isabelle contended. The doctor assured us that you will be blind for the rest of your life. So do not delude yourself, because it is impossible. Did you hear that? It is impossible! You’re blind and will remain so, whether you like it or not. In life, there are some dreams that we cannot achieve no matter how much we desire them. And this is one of them, and it's never going to come true. Did you get that, Jack? Do you understand?

Her hurtful words shattered him to the core, killing any shred of hope in his heart and replacing it with despair. He felt an enormous sense of sudden grief and pressed his lips together hard, indicating an oncoming fit of crying. Upon seeing his reaction, she felt that she had been very hard on him, so she sat him in her lap and hugged him to relieve some of his sadness.

Excuse me, son, for that, Isabelle said affectionately, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It just pains me greatly to see you build your hopes on something impossible. So, promise me that you will not bring up this subject again, to keep us and you, in particular, away from the pain of mourning over the loss of your sight.

He couldn't restrain his grief and burst into tears, dissatisfied with her words, which cut her heart into pieces in her grief for his sake, but she had no way but to relieve him and, instead, swallowed her misery in silence. Fast forward to ten o'clock in the evening and Jack woke up thirsty, so he reached out to grab the glass of water next to him and was surprised that it was not there. His mother used to put one every evening on the table beside his bed, but it seemed that something had occupied her this evening and had caused her to forget it. So, he had no choice but to go down to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As he entered the kitchen, he heard his parents arguing in the study room, and it was not his father's habit to raise his voice at his mother or to grieve her, for they were always in agreement except when it came to him, which prompted him to approach and eavesdrop.

Lewis said, Didn't I ask you to check the belt and bandage every time he went to bed?

I’m sorry, Isabelle apologized, I was very busy yesterday and so tired that I didn't realize that I hadn’t checked it.

I've told you this a hundred times, Lewis boomed, and after three years I'm a day late and you forget?! Your carelessness has brought us to the day that we’ve been dreading.

But I convinced him otherwise, Isabelle assured.

And how do you know that his curiosity won't persuade him to think of taking them off? Lewis questioned.

Oh, I don't know, Isabelle fretted. I really don't know what to do. Help us, God! If he found out that he could see, and that we had prevented him from that for three years, he would hate us forever... Oh, my poor son!

What?! asked Jack in astonishment.

That cannot happen! So we need to hide it, like we’ve been doing with him since he was five, Lewis emphasized, Jack must not see, and we must never let him do so.

He wanted to storm into the room and shower them with questions so that he could comprehend the reason behind this persecution they were imposing on him, but he knew very well that his father did not love him and would scold him severely and would not answer him, but would only increase his punishment. His only option was to bolt to his room and hide under the covers of his bed, his suffering leading him to sob into his pillow. The disability that he thought was the reason for his family members hating him was nothing but their own choice for him, and his sight was not a blessing for him, but rather a curse and may worsen his situation. But what hurt him the most and incited fear in his heart was the knowledge that his mother, the only person he has always loved and protected, was involved in this scheme. In that moment, he felt very lonely and that the world had narrowed down on him. He would like to disappear permanently just to get some rest from the disappointments that began to increase in their cruelty and their oppression against him day after day, without any mercy.

The next morning, his mother entered his room to wake him up.

Wake up, son. It’s morning time, Isabelle chimed.

Jack had woken up minutes before her arrival, but he didn’t want to get up. After hearing her voice, he remembered what had happened yesterday and did not answer her, so she thought he was still asleep. Thus, she shook him gently to wake him up.

Isabelle continued, Wake up, Jack.

I'm awake, Mom, Jack replied.

Then why didn't you answer when I called you? Isabelle asked.

Jack retorted, Because I don't like talking to anyone when I first wake up.

Really?! Since when? Isabelle said.

I'm getting older, Mom, Jack replied, and my behavior is changing. That’s what the teacher told me at school.

New behavior?! Isabelle questioned. I don't remember hearing anything about that at your age, but since you're such a special kid, anything is possible.

His heart breaking from her words, Jack said, Yeah, I'm different from everyone else.

She surprised him when she placed her palm on his forehead, checking his temperature.

Tell me, son, are you sick? Isabelle noticed, You don’t normally sleep this late.

I'm fine, Mom, Jack assured. Don't worry, please.

Thank God, your temperature is normal and there is no need to worry about that at least, Isabelle sighed in relief. So, what's the matter?

I just didn't want to get up early, Jack responded, because today is a holiday.

Right, excuse me for that, Isabelle said, but you'll have to get up early today also for the party. So go hop in the shower real quick, while I pick out your outfit. We have a lot of work to do. Your older sister Emily's birthday has to be special. She doesn’t turn seventeen every day, and we still need to buy a lot of stuff from the store. You promised you would help me.

She spoke as if nothing had happened yesterday, as if her sadness and tears were only part of a theatrical script that ended abruptly with the end of the scene. For the first time, he was afraid of her, because his mother, whom he knew, was tender and honest. And after last night, he discovered that she had another face that was completely contradictory to the one he was accustomed to, in which she hid her lies and cunning, and perhaps she, too, had never loved him. Negative thoughts dominated his mind. And he began to imagine the extent of their ugliness, but he did not want to believe what was going on, despite the clear evidence around him. He grabbed his head, wrestling with that fact and inadvertently blurted out, Stop.

Isabelle narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, and his strange behavior made her wary of the possibility that he might still know that he can see.

Isabelle interrogated him, What's going on with you, son?

He gulped in fear, after feeling that his mistake had caused doubt in her heart. And if that happened, she would not leave him until he divulged the truth, and she had her own ways of doing so. So, he hastened to justify to her before her suspicions were confirmed.

Jack quickly blurted out, A fly!

A fly? Isabelle looked at him, still suspicious.

Jack answered, Yes, there was a fly hovering around my ear.

She looked around the room and didn't find one.

But there are no flies here! Isabelle exclaimed.

Maybe it left or is hiding somewhere, Jack said sheepishly. I really don’t know how the brain of an insect works.

She laughed at his comment and continued to pick out his clothes and lay them out on the bed.

Yeah, the fly is a cunning insect that enters through the smallest opening, and does not know how to exit through the largest opening, Isabelle smiled.

He grinned at her joke.

Yes, replied Jack.

Now, get up and take a shower and change your clothes real quick, and let’s all have breakfast, Isabelle suggested.

Alright, agreed Jack.

As soon as she left the room, he put his hand on his chest, attempting to calm his heartbeat, which was beating like the drums of a Native American festival, after the psychological horror that she had put him through.

The celebration was held in the backyard of the house, and the Winner family used to have two celebrations for the birthday person, one day to celebrate with his friends and the other day with his family so that everyone could share his joy every year. At 6 p.m., the whole family gathered, and the celebration began. Everyone enjoyed this party atmosphere except for Jack, who had to sit alone all the time so as not to disturb anyone and was always ignored by the other children, because he was not able to play with them because of his disability, in addition to the fact that no one wanted to waste his time taking care of him; everyone was busy entertaining himself. Usually he would stay until the end of the party and would not move from his place no matter how bored he was, but this time he decided to leave the celebration from the beginning after he was certain that no one would care about his absence. As for his mother, she would not notice, as she was so busy with the arrangements. The anxiety that weighed on him was too much for him to bear the heaviness of this party as well, and as soon as he sensed that everyone was busy talking, he crept into the house and, by chance, entered at the moment when his mother was talking to his Aunt Lenore, and he heard their conversation.

Lenore was saying, What do you say he saw?!

Calm down! Isabelle persuaded. Someone might hear us.

How do you want me to calm down after hearing this disgraceful news? Lenore attested.

Isabelle dragged her into the library and shut the door behind them tightly. Unconsciously, Jack's feet moved quickly behind them, and he stuck his ear to the door opening, listening in to the conversation that would take place between them, but his surprise was even greater when he discovered that all the elders of the family were there too.

Did you hear what happened? Lenore asked.

Yes, his grandma answered, and it happened because of Lewis and Isabelle’s negligence, of course.

His great-grandfather interjected, It would have been better if you had kept him in the police academy under observation.

It would have been better if we had dumped him in an insane asylum, retorted Lenore.

Jack questioned himself in grief, But why do they hate me so much and always treat me so harshly? What have I done to deserve it?

Please stop, Isabelle pleaded. There is no need for all of that. I’ve solved the issue, and I promise not to make a mistake again... Lewis, say something. Please?

What can I say? Lewis asked.

Anything! prodded Isabelle. He’s your son too!

Because my son, Lewis emphasized, I convened this meeting in order to limit his danger, so that we won’t regret it afterwards.

But he’s still so young, and all he needs is our presence and our support, pleaded Isabelle.

Stop spouting nonsense, Isabelle, chided Lewis, for if we sympathize with him as you do, misfortunes will come upon us from every side.

But there must be another way, urged Isabelle. He has the right to see like everyone else.

If his eyesight hurts others, it's not his right, have you forgotten what he did? argued Lenore. If you have forgotten, I have not forgotten. I still remember how he almost killed my son with his cursed eyes three years ago. From the first time I saw him, I knew they were envious eyes—those eyes that our grandparents always told us about, and it was our misfortune that he was born. He is an imprint of shame that will turn our whole lives upside down, so we must eliminate him.

Oh my God, Isabelle gasped, Are you thinking of killing my son?!

The great-grandfather quickly intervened before the discussion took a totally different course.

Stop at once, Great-Grandfather asserted. We haven't gathered to discuss in this manner. We are here to find a solution to this problem. Isabelle, don't be afraid. We would never think of harming your son. Don't forget that he’s my blood too. You, Lenore— choose your words carefully. I am the elder here, and I am the one who has the final decision. And I told you my idea. If any of you have a better idea, let us know, or else let's vote.

As usual, if the great-grandfather proposed an idea that all agreed upon without objection, even if they had a better idea, Isabelle tried to win their support, but neither her pleas nor her tears moved them. Her greatest disappointment was her husband, who did not support her in her ordeal, but turned his back on her completely.

Lewis, Isabelle pleaded, please!

Sorry, Isabelle, Lewis sighed, but it's the right decision.

And so the matter was finally resolved.

Well then, I'll take him with me after the celebration, Great-Grandfather stated, then tomorrow I’ll send someone to collect his bags, to avoid upsetting him, so that we can save ourselves from the trouble he may cause.

After hearing this, Jack hurried to his room, closed the door behind him and locked it with the key, then leaned his back against it to increase his support in an attempt to prevent them from reaching him. He was in a deplorable state, so his memory memorized every letter they said and began to replay the tape of their conversation to him, making him taste the bitterness of the truth over and over.

Jack thought, No, I am not envious. I am not an evil person. I have never harmed an ant in my life, so how about a human being like me. They must lie often; it's their bad habit—I’m sure of it. But how do I prove it to them? How can I convince them to leave me in peace?

His mind told him that the problem lay in his vision, so if he could prove to them that he was blind, only then would he be saved from them and his life would return to normal. He decided to take off the belt and the blindfold, and he had figured out how to do that, so he removed the belt and did not notice any change. But as soon as he began to remove the blindfold, he saw a strange overlap in the background of the blackness that he had been wrapped in, and that started to increase as he removed a layer of the blindfold. His hands began to tremble, at his sudden realization of the truthfulness of their words. He closed his eyes, denying the evidence, until he removed it completely, hoping that the opposite would happen.

Well, the moment of truth has come, Jack thought.

So he gathered his courage and opened his eyes. His eyes could only bear the light for a few seconds, but it was enough to be sure of his ability to see and to make clear a fatal truth that uprooted all his hopes and supported their slander that he was envious. He had not known about envious people except from his aunt, who, every time he met her, used to talk about them poorly. He had not understood then that she was insulting him, because he had been too young. But, despite that, a seed of curiosity was planted in him, so he asked his mother about them, but she ignored him. So he resorted to his sister Amy after his older sister refused to talk about the topic as well, so she told him the stories that her grandmother used to tell them before she turned ten, and that they were evil and were killers. Then he remembered the course of his life and all their attitudes towards him to be the only justification for their cruelty to him, in addition to the incident of his Aunt Lenore, which made her hate him for life. That fact made him wish for the blindness he had always wanted to get rid of.

No, I don't want to see, Jack thought. I don't want to. Oh my God, they were right! I can see, but I don't want to be envious. I'm not an evil person.

He started denying that fact, and in his denial, his voice got louder little by little, until it crescendoed into continuous screaming and blows with his hand and head on the door, expressing his soul’s agony. If it wasn't for the loud music, everyone in the house would have been able to hear him. He ended up lying on the floor like a dying person, knowing that his fate had been decided and that the days, and even hours, of his happiness had come to an end, and he had nowhere to go unless he moved quickly and fled from them now.

Jack thought to himself, I'd rather get lost in the streets and die of starvation than to stay there caged in like an animal.

He made his decision and rushed to carry out his plan. And although he had taken off the belt and blindfold, he could not open his eyes, because they were not yet accustomed to the brightness of the light. But that made no difference to him, as he was an intelligent boy and he took pride in relying on himself and learning things quickly. He opened up his closet and took some of his clothes out and stuffed them into his school bag after he emptied all the books out, then took his walking stick and the money he had been collecting in his piggy bank and moved out of the house while everyone was busy with the party. After he came out, he turned, holding the door handle, uttering to himself with a sigh,

Forgive me, Mom, because I thought you were like them, and I didn't know that they had forced you to do this. Only today did I realize that you are the only person who has always loved me in this family, and that my staying here would be a source of torment for the two of us. So I'd better hide so you can rest from their hurt. I really wish I could have said goodbye to you for the last time and crawl into your arms once more, but that is impossible now. So let the beautiful days that brought us together be good and nice to you in my absence, and I hope that you will forget me so that your heart will stop hurting. And I promise you that I will never forget you. You are the most precious thing I have and the most beautiful thing that was and will always be in my life. Bye, my beloved mother. Bye forever.

Meeting

He went to the bus stop that he used to frequent daily to go to school. Despite his young age and handicap, he was able to rely on himself in everything. He had been eager to do anything to win his family's love, and he thought that his self-reliance might earn him that, so he resisted his disability and learned, despite the difficulty, so as not to become a burden on anyone; but despite his great efforts, it had not had any effect on them. Nonetheless, he had not given up and kept trying, to the point that one day he got into a taxi and went alone to surprise his aunt with her birthday gift before everyone else. And his aunt, of course, treated him unfairly and reprimanded him severely for his presence. She didn’t even bother to take the gift from his hands when he handed it to her or to take him back home. Rather, she sent for his parents and left him waiting for them in her garden like a stray cat, from the harshness of her merciless, black heart. So now, after realizing the truth, he realized that there was no place for him among them, and, without a hint of hesitation, he boarded the bus to take him far, far away from them forever.

Three hours passed him by in silence, and he was weighed down with worries, until the bus stopped at its final stop. The driver opened the door to allow the passengers to get off the bus, and when no one got off, he turned and looked behind him and found the seats had been completely emptied except for Jack; and because he was closing his eyes, he thought he was asleep and went back to his seat to wake him up.

Hey, boy, said the bus driver to Jack.

He didn't have to shake him to wake him up.

Who are you? implored Jack.

I'm the bus driver, he answered. Open your eyes, son. We’ve arrived.

Sorry, but I can't, Jack shuddered, My eyes can't handle the force of the background.

Background? asked the driver. Do you mean the light?

Then he remembered hearing this word around him a lot, and he had previously asked his mother about it, but despite explaining it, he could not imagine it in this way.

Oh, Jack replied. Yeah.

Have you had eye surgery recently? the bus driver asked.

He didn't understand what he meant but wanted to go along with him so he could get rid of him quickly.

Yes, replied Jack.

So you must have forgotten your sunglasses? the bus driver asked. It's okay, I have a pair, and I don't mind giving them to you. You need them more than I do.

Jack didn't know exactly what sunglasses were until the driver took them from his shirt pocket and put them on his face.

Now you can open your eyes, the driver said. The glasses will dim the light.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw a blurry image at first that gradually improved.

What is that? asked Jack curiously.

It's me, the bus driver answered.

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of his phone, announcing the arrival of a message, so he looked at it and sighed with impatience.

It's my wife asking me not to be late getting home. Fortunately, I’ve reached my last stop. Anyway, so tell me, son—where are you going? Is there someone waiting for you? The bus driver inquired.

Yes, he answered.

He looked out the window at the seats and saw no one.

But I don't see anyone, speculated the bus driver.

Jack said, Don't worry, they're coming soon.

Do you want me to wait for them with you? the bus driver asked him.

No, thank you, responded Jack.

Are you sure? inquired the bus driver.

Don’t worry, Jack reiterated. I’m sure they’re about to arrive, and I have my phone with me to call them if I need to. Go ahead and go home, sir.

Okay, as you wish, said the bus driver. You can get off now.

Upon that, he walked down the aisle and turned towards the door, and, despite his ability to see what was around him, he felt disoriented and lost. But with the help of his other sense that recognized his surroundings, he was able to navigate the steps and get off the bus. When he was blind he knew everything, but now he was lost in a colorful world full of shapes that puzzled him. Things would have been a whole lot different if he had still had his mother with him.

He walked aimlessly for a long distance, his eyes fixed on the ground, not indifferent to his ability to see or even to use said ability after this horrible calamity had befallen him. He came across two men on the path, one of whom was short and the other tall. He froze in shock as they looked him up and down. When their eyes focused on him, he felt his heart drop, fearing that there was danger approaching. He looked all around him, trying to search for help, but found nothing but a strange object to his right that he did not realize was an abandoned building that he could hide in, or else he would have taken refuge in it.

What do we have here? snickered the short man. A little boy. What good luck!

Jack receded in fear and turned around, attempting to run to his escape, but the tall man was faster than him and managed to catch him and lift him off his feet by the collar of his shirt.

Let me go! Jack shouted. What do you want from me?

Nothing but the money in your bag! said the short man.

Please, leave me alone, Jack pleaded. I’ve done nothing to you!

We know, stated the short man. So we’ll just take the bag so we won’t be in need of you.

He gestured to the tall man then swiftly snatched the bag from Jack. Then he punched him in the stomach, which left Jack clutching his abdomen in pain, unable to move.

Don’t try to catch us, threatened the tall man, or he’ll hurt you even more.

He didn’t neglect taking his glasses from him as well, before tossing him into the street as if he was a piece of garbage. Then they sauntered away from him, pleased with this easy booty. Jack curled up on the ground in pain, and after the blow, his voice locked up, and he became unable to scream or move to deter them. His heart was in torture because of his predicament, and his eyes shed tears heavily, as he had thought that he was going to be ridding himself of injustice as soon as he left his family, only to discover that the world is full of people with a stark similarity to his evil family in their ways of dealing with others and that he would continue to be oppressed, humiliated, and disgraced wherever he goes, because he was weak and helpless. His feelings attacked him, making him feel that he had enough and was tired of living in this whirlpool of sorrows. If he had these powers, it was time to use them and change his position from one of weakness to one of strength so that no one would dare to attack him again. Those feelings suddenly transformed into an enormous fire that emerged from the bottom of a tree that the two men had just passed by and followed behind them. But as soon as the fire had erupted, they noticed it. And their joints trembled, frightened by its terrifying sight.

I told you this whole area is haunted by ghosts so nobody comes near it, contended the tall man. But you didn’t believe me.

You were right, admitted the short man. Let’s run away quickly, my friend, before they get us too!

They fled to save themselves, not realizing that it was not, in fact, the work of ghosts, but the work of Jack, who, fortunately for them, had not yet spotted them, because he was dizzy from the punch he had received. His state of shock heightened after witnessing the extent of his envying power. Although he did not realize that what he had produced was fire—as he was still unfamiliar with what fire looked like—he nonetheless sensed that he had done something dangerous and terrifying, which led him to change his mind about doing it again, making a huge realization and pardoning his family for what they had done to him. He eventually passed out, having been emotionally exhausted from all the strong shocks he had received that night. Half an hour later, he opened his eyes and saw for the first time clearly what was before him, and it was a campfire, which frightened him from its strange appearance, he jumped back as he didn’t recognize what it was.

Don’t be afraid, boy. The thieves have left.

He turned abruptly towards the source of the female voice, seeing for the first time the image of a human being—rather, of the female gender—with clarity. She caught his gaze, scrutinizing her features while she was sitting close to him, from the top of her head down to her feet, and what captivated him the most was the features of her face, so he stared into her eyes for a long time without looking away. The woman found his reaction a bit strange but she assumed he was behaving this way out of fear, so she wanted to reassure him.

Don’t be afraid, the woman assured. I won’t harm you like the two thieves did.

The two thieves?! Jack said, surprised.

Who stole your bag! the woman answered.

His eyes widened in astonishment to see his