I suppress the acrid flavour in my mouth and compel a grin. Jimmy complains and whines, hindering my enjoyment of the meal, prompting me to excuse myself and place my dishes in the washbasin. Apprehensive about my future, I resolve to seek fresh air for contemplation and leave a letter for Melina detailing my whereabouts.
The forest is conveniently within walking distance, and I traverse the little harbour town to reach its periphery. Although it is full daylight, Jimmy need exercise, so I concealed my clothing under a tree and relinquished authority to him temporarily.
He loops, expelling his pent-up rage as he sprints through the trees. After an hour of futile running, he ultimately comes to a stop and returns to the tree where I concealed my garments.
Jimmy exhales sharply, asserting, “I believe I have a concept,” as he relinquishes control to me once more. However, it entails some danger.
As I dress, I hear a gentle breeze that brings the fragrance of rain and lilac to my nostrils.
She has arrived!
In a state of panic, I hastily don my clothing and conceal myself in the foliage, my pulse racing uncontrollably.
A little voice exclaims with enthusiasm while another voice audibly counts down from 20. Unexpectedly, a little child enters the same bush as I do, his eyes widening in astonishment. I gaze at him, utterly captivated by the blue and brown depths reflecting my own gaze. I have never encountered eyes like his before.
He presses his finger to his lips and audibly silences me. “You must remain silent; otherwise, mother will discover our location,” he whispers, nestling on my lap and gazing out from the bush.
“Prepared or not, I am approaching,” Ricky announces, her voice resonating from a short distance. “Reveal yourself, Braylon! I shall apprehend you!”
The youngster, whom I assume is Braylon, grins quietly, covering his mouth and mine with his little hands as Ricky passes past us, quite unaware that her son and partner are concealed in the bushes close behind her.
“Bray…” she vocalises. “I will locate you!” she exclaims, leaping into an unoccupied bush.
I am on the brink of a heart attack, aware that if she discovered me with her son, she would have no qualms about murdering me. Ricky meanders several meters away, chuckling as she examines various shrubs and trees. Once she is at a secure distance, the young guy glances at me with a broad smile.
“I am Bray,” he chuckles, dismounting from my lap. “What is your name, sir?”
“I am Bray,” he chuckles, dismounting from my lap. “What is your name, sir?”
The youngster smiles at me, devoid of any judgement in his small frame. His attractive eyes glisten with anticipation as he awaits my reply.
Throughout my life, I have frequently been enquired about my name, typically for undesirable reasons; but, I have never been questioned just for the sake of acquaintance.
Throughout my upbringing, my father enquired about my name daily, and each day I failed to meet his expectations. Last night, my acquaintance requested my name in order to decline my advances. Nevertheless, this young youngster with blue and brown eyes only sought to identify the stranger concealed in the woods.
His smile is contagious, and while I gaze at him in silence, he furrows his brows and leans in closely.
“Are you deceased as well?”He murmurs, supporting his chin with his fists. “I am acquainted with a deceased individual,” he hisses. “Her name is Mee-Lina,” he states with certainty. “She is unable to hear.” He abruptly leans up close to my ear and exclaims, “Can you hear me!?””
“Bray?”Ricky calls out, and I cover his lips with my hand.
We stand still like trees, while Ricky scours the area in search of Bray.
“Hehe, mother,” Bray chuckles as his mother walks by us once more, oblivious to our presence. The young lad brushes off his hands and pinches my cheeks together. “I find you appealing,” he chuckles. “Would you like to engage in a game with me?””
He gazes at me with his blue and brown eyes, and for the first time in years, I experience total tranquilly.
“Affirmative,” I murmur.
His smiles, seizing my hand and pulling me from the underbrush. “Hasten!”He emits a shrill cry. “Dragons are pursuing us!” Mother is the princess. We must save her!”
He directs me towards the path his mother had taken, and we halt just before Ricky, her eyes narrowing into slits upon noticing my presence with her son.
Oh, esteemed Moon Goddess…
I avert her gaze and shift uneasily on my feet, my legs yearning to flee. I sense my companion glaring at me, and I want to go, but Bray maintains a strong hold on my hand.
“Mother, observe!”Bray gazes at himself with pride. I discovered a companion. “His name is….” He halts and gazes at me with a smile. “What is your name?”
