Disappointed, Roderick went back to the crater from a different route, which was a shortcut. He was annoyed because no traveler had told him about the short way when he was walking for hours.
He may come to the crater, eventually. He was firm in his belief.
Roderick made it to the crater and looked down from the rim. There he saw many heads, but not the bodies.
He climbed down with a huge struggle and stepped on the heads till he saw the head of villager who had served him water.
S***! They attacked innocent villagers. Roderick was infuriated by everything. In the middle of the crater, there was his Headless friend.
Walking on decapitated heads was like walking on loose rocks on a river bank. Headless was sitting on one of those heads like he was waiting for Roderick.
“Pick any head you like.” Roderick said to the sitting creature.
I DON’T WANT ANY OF THESE. I WANT MY OWN HEAD. Came his answer.
“Who hacked your head off? Do you know him?” Roderick asked.
I DON’T KNOW HIS NAME BUT I KNOW WHICH VILLAGE HE IS FROM. Headless signaled.
“Let’s go there then.” Roderick said without wasting any time. He knew he had lost many hours already by doing unnecessary things.
As they walked out of the crater they set off on another road, which was not much different from the first one Roderick had walked on. But on this route, Roderick did not see any carts, people or animals. There were just barren fields with mud cracking. Trees had lost all their leaves and everything looked barren.
Draught had taken over the country in the worst possible way. He was wondering why there were so many fields but realized it could be a good sign. Field means people nearby.
And as far as Headless had said, he was taking him to a village. This gave him a boost up to take more steps on the burning soil.
Roderick was right. They could see a village. It was a very small one compared to the last village he had been to but still it was the place where Headless wanted to take him to.
Headless looked excited when they went inside the village. The village was quiet for some reason. It is why they could hear someone’s scream loud.
“Help!” a muffled voice was coming from somewhere. Roderick and Headless tried to ignore it and walk on their way but they could not get over the terrified screams.
They followed the sound and reached to a small room made of brick. The room wasn’t wide but was very narrow and was as tall as Roderick.
“Help!” sound came out from there.
HE IS SENTENCED TO DIE BY IMMUREMENT. Headless made Roderick know. Roderick had heard of those things, but it was the first time for him seeing one in real.
“Do you know anyone who has chopped someone’s head here recently?” Roderick yelled at the wall and waited for the answer.
Meanwhile, people were gathering around to see what the case was. They gathered but didn’t stay long.
“Take me out of here. I will tell you.” Voice said.
