Ramona is evil

[Ramona's POV]


The forest was dense with towering trees, their branches reaching towards the sky and casting shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and the distant chirping of birds.


Two men, wearing black gloves that reached their elbows, hurriedly gathered firewood from the forest near the village. Despite the morning sun's rays not being too hot, sweat still dripped down their foreheads. Their faces displayed determination and a sense of urgency.


"Henry, what has the village leader decided?" The first man asked his companion. His breathing was fast from the work, causing his words to come out slowly.


Henry who was both his friend and the village leader's cook, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm and looked at him. His gaze passed through the other man's disappointed eyes and settled on the scar that ran across his cheek.


Henry let out a heavy sigh before responding, "The village leader has made the decision to investigate the accident at Misty Rill River. He believes foul play was involved and wants to uncover the truth."


The first man's eyes widened in surprise. "Foul play? But it was just an accident, right?"


"David, I can understand their suspicion towards Ramona because I have seen her grow up, but the villagers haven't. They witnessed the deaths of their loved ones firsthand," Henry said with concern.


"My wife fell ill because of that accident. My life has been affected as well, but I'm not blaming anyone," David almost shouted in anger. "And let's not forget that the village leader's son was also present at that time."


"The village leader's son is involved, so they are pinning the blame on Ramona," Henry quickly glanced around and whispered, "The inside information is that the village leader has decided to force you and your family to leave the village."


David clenched his fists, and a flicker of anger appeared in his eyes. "But we have been living here for many years. We are a part of this village. How can they suspect us without any evidence?"


Henry's voice lowered to a whisper as he leaned in closer. "It's not just about the accident, my friend. There are some villagers who have been unhappy with your family for quite some time. They feel threatened by your presence and believe you would bring misfortune to our village."


David furrowed his brows in confusion. "Misfortune? That's merely an accusation!"


Henry nodded, his expression filled with pain. "I know, but accusations can be influential, especially when fear and resentment are involved. The village leader is aware of this, and he wants to address these concerns once and for all, even if it means sacrificing his own son."


"For now, I have taken care of the situation and asked the village leader to further investigate the case. However, I cannot make any promises." Seeing Daavid's angry face, Henry calmed him down and walked away, picking up his firewood.


David found himself standing alone in the dense forest, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. The weight of his responsibilities burdened him as he contemplated how to protect his family. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small piece of rope, which he then threw onto the ground. To his surprise, the rope grew larger and began to tie itself to the nearby wood he had just cut, forming a bundle that defied the laws of gravity by floating in the air.


As he made his way through the forest, his mind raced with thoughts and plans. He understood the importance of gathering more information and delving deeper into the mystery that enveloped their village. Perhaps there were hidden clues within the river, waiting to be discovered. Upon reaching the outskirts of the village, he spotted the floating bundle of wood and placed it on his shoulder, carrying it home and placing it in a corner before heading to the kitchen.


The kitchen walls were adorned with hand-painted murals depicting serene landscapes, showcasing the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity. Wooden shelves displayed jars filled with carefully collected dried herbs and spices from the surrounding mountains and fields.


In the center of the kitchen stood a large iron stove, with flames dancing beneath a sturdy pot. He had placed the pot on the stove to prepare the soup before heading to the forest. Quickly lifting the lid, he noticed that the aroma of the soup had filled the entire house, offering a comforting embrace. He believed in the art of slow cooking, allowing the flavors to blend together and create a symphony of tastes.


After Ava fell ill, half of David's life revolved around the kitchen. He took it upon himself to nurse her back to health. Wearing a faded apron, he spent his days in the warm and cozy kitchen, preparing nourishing soups and herbal remedies.


As he stirred the bubbling pot, his heart ached for his wife's recovery. He yearned to see her vibrant smile and hear her melodious laughter once again. Lost in thought while preparing the soup, he suddenly noticed a cat chasing a butterfly and climbing onto the kitchen shelf.


"Hey Bubble, hurry up and get down from the shelf," he called out to the cat, using its name. "The hot soup might spill on you." Bubble, as black as the night sky, had mischievous eyes that sparkled. Its tiny paws pitter-pattered across the shelf. He couldn't help but smile as he watched it chase the butterfly near the kitchen window.


At the sound of the doorbell, he lifted his head and saw Mr. Theodore outside, wiping his hands with an apron as he walked and spoke. "Annalisa, you know your mother needs her medicine early in the morning, so it's late." However, instead of seeing Annalisa in front, he saw Mr. Theodore and fell silent.


Mr. Theodore, a notorious loan shark known for his ruthless tactics, stood on David's doorstep. His cold, calculating eyes scanned the surroundings as he impatiently tapped his foot on the ground. He had come to collect a debt and was determined to leave with his money.


"Are you here in the morning?" David asked, his voice sounding serious. He desperately tried to maintain a composed demeanor, hiding his anxiety behind a fake smile.


Mr. Theodore's lips curled into a sinister grin as he stepped closer, invading his personal space. His voice dripped with malice as he replied, "Oh, David, you know I'm always here when I need my money. And today, I need it more than ever."


David's eyes nervously glanced towards the small, dilapidated house behind him and he extended his arm to prevent Mr. Theodore from entering. His daughter, Ramona, and his wife were inside, unaware of the danger lurking just outside their door. He couldn't allow Mr. Theodore to harm them.


Summoning all the courage he had left, David spoke through clenched teeth, "I do not have the money, Mr. Theodore. Please, grant me more time. I promise I will find a way to repay you."


Mr. Theodore's face twisted with anger, his eyes narrowing. He took a threatening step forward, his voice now a venomous whisper. "Do you think I am a fool, David? I have given you enough time. You have had your chances."


David looked at him in disbelief, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "How much money did he take?"


"100 gold coins," Mr. Theodore said as he moved his face closer to David's. He did not even have the courage to cover his nose due to the foul odor emanating from Mr. Theodore's mouth.


The repugnant breath seemed to penetrate his very being, making it difficult for him to focus on anything else. Mr. Theodore always pulled these tricks, and he could not comprehend why no one else saw through it.


"100 gold coins? But she only took 50 coins," David exclaimed in shock. "That is nothing short of daylight robbery!"


"You don't seem to know the rules of the trade." Mr. Theodore's anger only grew, his face turning an alarming shade of red. He took a menacing step forward, his voice now a low growl. "If you don't give me that money, I will make sure you regret it. I will kill your evil daughter, David. She is dead to me."


David felt his heart sink, wounded by his harsh words. He had always strived to be an honest and upright individual, and now he found his daughter unjustly accused.


A cruel smile played on Mr. Theodore's lips as he leaned in closer, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "Everyone says your daughter is evil. But, David you have no idea what evil truly is. However, if you don't pay up, I might just have to show you."


David's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation. He had to protect his daughter at all costs. With a newfound determination, he looked Mr. Theodore straight in the eye and said, "I won't let you harm my daughter and my family. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe."


Mr. Theodore's laughter echoed through the quiet neighborhood, sending shivers down David's spine. "We'll see about that, David. We shall see."