Chapter 18 - 17: The Weight of Roots
Chapter 17: The Weight of Roots
Kael then opened the portal and returned to Earth. He came out of the basement.
He got on his bicycle and headed for the market.
If I’m gonna make money, I need to start doing business. No more waiting around.
He reached the market in just ten minutes. He took out his mobile and checked the time—6:45 AM.
Hmm, that grandma’s shop should be open now.
He slowed as he approached Martha’s shop. But before he could dismount, a voice called out to him.
"Oi! You’re that Lancaster kid, ain’t ya?"
Kael turned to see a burly man in a worn flannel shirt leaning against a rusted mini-truck, its bed loaded with crates of vegetables and hardware supplies. The man’s face was weathered, his hands rough from years of labor, but his eyes were sharp—curious.
"Yeah," Kael said, stopping his bike. "You remember me?"
"Hard to forget." The man chuckled, smoke curling from his lips. "City folks don’t usually stick around. Especially not in that old haunted house." He squinted. "I’m Eli. My ma’s the one who gave you that bike."