Huff! Huff! Huff!
Hey, Taylor wait up! Your running too fast!"
Liam huffed clearly exhausted as he bent over, placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
"There's no need to keep running, because we've already arrived!"
He continued glancing at Taylor.
"Fine then, why don't you show me around it's been a while since I last came here."
"Alright, alright, I'll show you around."
The village of Midwinter was charming and quaint, with cobblestone streets widening between cozy cottages adorned with wooden flower boxes. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread. Children laughing as they played in the open squares, and the sound of merchants calling out their wares filled the air.
"Oh, there's the town's bakery!"
Liam pointed enthusiastically towards a small stand where a middle aged woman stood. Busy arranging three loaves of bread, she had short rich chestnut brown hair. Her skin was sun-kissed a testament to her days spent in the bakery, wearing a simple dress that very much complimented her face adorned with a floral pattern. Giving her an inviting presence that made everyone feel comfortable.
"Why, hello Liam."
The woman greeted her voice careful.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Elda."
Liam replied, waving.
They came closer to the bakery stand.
"Oh!"
A short gasp escaped her lips in surprise, her eyes widening as she glanced.
"Is that you Taylor."
"Yes!"
Liam replied, tightly grabbing his frame and pulling him closer to him.
Widening her eyes she leaned in closer.
"Oh, it is you!"
She smiled widening her smile widening.
Taylor tried hiding his face out of shyness, trying to recall the woman in front of him. Until it downed on him.
*Oh, miss Elda I think I remember something about her on this kids memories."
He widened his eyes in the process.
"So you do remember me."
"Yes, ma'am."
She chuckled lightly before covering her mouth.
"Good, but drop the miss, okay!"
Taylor simply nodded.
"Okay then Taylor let's go there's still more tell you."
"Sure… let's go, goodbye miss Elda."
As they were about to leave, Elda beat them to it.
"Oh, before you leave, here's something!"
She said carefully wrapping five warm buns in a clean cloth.
"Don't eat them yet, while they're still hot!"
"Oh, I couldn't possibly ask—."
She cut him off.
"There free of charge! take them, plus there not only for you."
She gestured at Liam
"Yes!"
Liam answered enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up.
"Come on, Taylor take them!"
With their combined eagerness, Taylor accepted the buns cradling them in his hands.
Slightly lower his upper body in a 90 degrees angle.
"Thank you very much!"
Miss Elda was taken aback by his actions.
"Oh, you seem to have changed a lot, haven't you.
"But you don't have to thank me."
Taylor and Liam went on with their way.
They walked away holding the warm buns
Liam waved an arm at her, Miss Elda returned the gesture.
They walked away with the warm buns.
Liam pointed at some more sights— the village's square bustling with activity, the stalls lined with colourful fabrics and the sweet scent of fruit and vegetables wafting from the farmer's market. Along with other breathtaking goods.
"What else do you want to show me?"
Taylor asked captivated by the village.
"Just wait until you see the fountain, It's the heart of the village!"
Liam said with eagerness visible in his eyes.
As they reached the centre of the village, its crystal clear water glimmered in the sunlight, surrounded by a circle of colourful flowers.
The two plopped on a bench, that was in front of the fountain. There excitement building as they pulled the still-warm buns from the neatly tied cloth. They began stuffing their faces.
"These are amazing!"
Taylor exclaimed between bites.
"As to be expected, Miss Elda never disappoints."
Liam replied, his cheeks full like a chipmunk, grinning as he chewed.
They took turns trying to see who could fit more, the scene felt respite.
As they finished their lunch snack, Taylor leaned back, at the wooden bench, seemingly stretching his arms. From extortion.
Meanwhile Liam was tying the cloth with three more buns left.
"We should leave the remaining buns for the others."
"Yeah, I guess so!"
Taylor recalled the kids from his memories, they were a mischievous bunch. And he was the leader of this ragtag group—how that would play out was a mystery to him.