Chapter Text
Despite that few years already have passed since his brother's supposed death, Gammon still hasn't stopped looking for him. His body was never found, only his clothes covered with blood. This was already suspicious for him, no matter how he would be assassinated, even the traces of his remains would be found yet there was nothing.
He started thinking that Nyoze most likely faked his death and hide somewhere really well. It wasn't hard to do, considering how much was happening in the world now. The last messages which he exchanged with him, could suggest that too. Back then, Nyoze told him that if something would happen, to not look after him. At first, he thought that his brother already had a feeling he would be killed sooner or later but now it could be actually a hidden message. Perhaps Gammon was getting just paranoid yet it was still worth looking into it.
He was collecting every possible hint, no matter how ridicoulos. Once while ,visiting some small town, some local resident told him that a man who looked very similar to his brother was living deep in the forest with wife and kid. Normally he would laugh just at the idea of that but now he was so desperate to took this into consideration. Well, a small walk around local forest won't cause any harm after all...
Gammon decided to spend one day for his "trip". Perhaps nature would help him to think and organize everything he knows so far.
Though there was one thing he didnt thought through before entering the forest — It was easy to get lost there.
- It did not seemed to be so tensly populated.... - He sighed to himself as it started getting darker slowly. Now he needed to find a place to spent night there.
While looking around for some safe location he noticed a young girl looking at him from behind a tree. At first he thought he started seeing things but after blinking few times, she was still there looking at him with wide eyes. Well, since shes real maybe she could help him somehow.
- Uhh, hi kid. - He approched her, trying not to scare her. - Where are your parents? Can you call them?
The girl was looking at him silently as tears started showing in her eyes.
- I... I dont know! - She said before starting to cry loudly.
- Wha- Wait, don't cry–... - He tried to calm her down as much as he could. - What do you mean you don't know?
- I was following you beacuse I thought you are my papa but you are not!... - Girl continued to cry despite his best efforts.
It took sometime to calm her down and to get any information from her.
- Alright kid... Where do you live? - He asked after he finally managed to stop her crying. - Do you remember?
- Mhm. - She nodded while still sobbing a bit. - In this forest.
- That's not much helpful. - He sighed. - Did your parents thaught you what to do when you get lost? Or something like that?
- Yes... - She nodded again. - If I get lost I need to follow a path which leds to my home.
- That's great!... And where does this path starts?
- Uh... Uhhh.... Near really big tree!
Gammon sighed while looking around. All trees were big.
Her home was actually closer then she could think. Maybe if her mother would scream louder at her father, she could hear them.
- What do you mean you lost her!? - Nemesis yelled at her husband as he returned back without their daughter. He wasn't bothered by her reaction as he felt he actually deserved that.
- I looked away for a moment and she was gone. - He sighed with worry in his voice. - I was trying to find her but without result.
- Nyoze, how could you... - She said while starting bitting her lips.
He knew that her reaction wasn't beacuse she was angry but from being really worried now.
- It's alright, I doubt she went too far. - He replied in more rational voice. - Let's split and start looking at her, okay?
His words calmed her down a bit.
- You are right... I'll go search towards west and you towards east.
After this quick exchange they went seperate ways, looking for their child.
Meanwhile Gammon and the little girl which he just met, were still trying to find a way back home.
- So... What's your name kid? - Gammon asked while walking next to her.
- My parents told me to not tell my name to strangers. - She said proudly. - My mama also told me to punch strangers in the ribs if they are bothering me.
- Alright, alright... - He sighed. - At least your parents raised you well.
- Yeah... - She nodded, getting sad again. - What if I won't see them again... Wah...
She started sobbing again, tearing her eyes with hand.
- I'm sure you will. - He reassured her. - They are probably looking for you now.
- But what if it will take too long? What if they gave up?
Gammon looked at her with a sad smile as he laughed dryly.
- Silly girl. - He shook his head. - Once you start looking for someone, you never stop it.
- How you can know that? - She asked yet he didn't answered.
Nyoze was walking through the forest, calling his daughter name. He was angry at himself that he looked away from her back then. He would never forgive himself if something happend to her.
After sometime of walking, he noticed fresh footsteps on the ground. One small and one big. Almost no one was getting this far into the forest, so they belonged most likely to his child. The questions was, who left the bigger ones...
Getting more worried, he started running following the steps.
- Are you sure this is that tree? - Gammon asked, not really believing her.
- Yes, that's definitely this one. - She nodded. - Now we need to find big rock and there should be my house!
- Mhm, let's hope so...
They were about to go futher but someones yell, stopped them.
- Nyme! - The voice was calling from nearby. Gammon's body frozen up upon hearing it. It sounded like... No, it can't possibly be—....
- Papa! - Girl quickly recognized her father's voice as she run towards him.
After seeing his daughter, Nyoze felt like all weight left his heart. He took her into his arms closely and hugged.
- Nyme... I'm so sorry. - He sighed with relief. - I should have watched you better.
- No, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have follow him just beacuse he looked similar to you. - She sobbed while hugging to him closely.
- He?... Who is he? - He asked concered but he didn't even had to wait for answer after seeing his own brother standing near tree.
For a moment they were just looking at eachother, both not believing who they just saw.
- Nyoze...
- Gammon.