"Here, have something to boost your energy. ra used to love these," Megan said, handing the treat to Ryan.


    Ryan''s eyes brightened as he epted it, quickly taking a bite. Over the next hour, Megan passed him a few more, keeping his spirits up.


    Finally, they reached the house of the old alternative medicine expert. Ryan had Megan take a break outside while he knocked on the door.


    The expert, now in his eighties, lived in a home filled with the earthy scent of herbs. Despite his age, he was lively and seemed to recognize Ryan right away.


    "Grandpa, do you have anything for insomnia?" Ryan asked eagerly, stepping closer.


    The old man studied Ryan''s face intently, stroking his chin. "You''re Johnny''s boy, aren''t you? Haven''t seen you in ages. How''s Johnny doing?"


    Bridgetown had be a ghost town, especially this hill where the old expert lived alone after his wife passed thirty years ago. He''d devoted his life to studying ancient herbal remedies, rarely leaving except to gather more herbs.


    Hearing his father''s name, Ryan''s face fell. "Dad passed away."


    The old expert paused, clearly shocked, and took a slow sip of tea. "So young... It''s hard to believe. He was so full of life, always the most talented in Bridgetown. He even repaired all the roads after he made it big."


    Johnny had built a small school too, never forgetting his roots. It was hard to ept he was gone so soon.


    Ryan forced a smile that looked more pained than pleased. "Grandpa, I really need that remedy for insomnia. Your skills are legendary. Could you prepare some for me? I promised ra I''d get it done. And she also suffers from bad cramps- could you help with that too? I''d really appreciate it."


    The old expert looked confused, finishing his tea. "ra? I thought your sister had passed away?"


    Ryan was taken aback, quickly shaking his head. "No, no, don''t say that, Grandpa. ra and Quinn are fine. Quinn''s just having a tough time and is in a mental health facility, but she''s alive."


    "But I remember Johnny..."


    Sensing time was slipping away, Ryan gently urged the old man. "Grandpa, I''m in a bit of a rush. Can you please prepare the remedies quickly? I''ll pay you well." Seeing Ryan''s urgency, the old expert nodded and moved to his herbal cab.


    He prepared over fifty packages. "Simmer these slowly; take them all. Thirty are for insomnia."


    Ryan hurriedly packed all the medicine into a bag, leaving a generous amount of cash on the table. "Thank you, Grandpa. If it works, I''ll be back often."


    The old expert epted the money without fuss and walked him to the gate.


    Just as Ryan was about to dash off, the expert asked, "Does ra look like you?"


    Ryan chuckled, "Absolutely, we''re both quite the lookers! Take care, Grandpa. Bye."


    The old expert watched Ryan until he faded from view, then slowly turned back to his herb-filled garden. He picked a nearby flower, cing it by a small hill, murmuring to himself.


    "Strange, indeed."