If his Stepfather and Stepmother ever got him back… Well… Emerald Jewel wasn't sure if he could survive what they would do to him.
He doesn't know what's ahead, or even how he going to survive, but he knows that he can't go back.
The main road continues to the WEST. Emerald isn't sure where it goes, but main roads always have to lead to big cities, right? There is also a smaller path to the NORTH, that seems to lead into the forest more.