Before Me, Him

Chapter 39

     The sun was starting to rise as we reached Robert's house. The day was a bit colder than usual but for sure it would get warmer as time went by. I knock on the door just for it to be opened a minute later.

     - You have so many friends child! – says Robert with a shocked expression, however, that soon changes to a kind smile. – Welcome in!

     I start introducing everyone while Robert tries his best to remember everyone's names. Part of me was worried that he would remind himself of the conversation we had a while ago about Luke but deep down I knew that even if he did, he wouldn't mention it. I trusted him.

     Soon enough everyone starts getting to work, between changing their water, feeding the animals, petting them, brushing them, picking up what once was a part of them... Usually, Robert by himself would end doing everything around lunchtime but, when I am around, we manage to wrap everything up one hour and a half earlier, however, today, since we had so many people helping we manage to finish everything in around two hours and a half. It wasn't even lunchtime and everything was completed, Robert was astonished.

     I was finishing changing the water on the chickens when I see everyone chatting and laughing with Robert. I guess they get along just fine, not that it was a concern either way. He was a very lovable and kind man and his smile was as caring as the simple petting of the person you love the most in the world. Slowly, I go check on Autumn. I hadn't seen him today and I started to be worried. As I place my body leaning towards the fences that surrounded the horses I noticed that he was getting thinner, a lot thinner.

     From what Robert had told me, Autumn did eat if it didn't have any medicine, he had been doing that for a while now but right now, he looked like he hadn't eaten in days. I start to call him and he slowly walks towards me. The cold wind was playing with my hair and his horsehair while the sun was warming up our bodies. I stretch my hand with the medicated hay and I start talking.

     - Please eat Autumn, it will make you feel better. – I say softly, trying not to scare him. Slowly I stretch my hand to reach his skin and start petting it very calmly. This is the first time he ever allowed me to touch him, all the other times he would just run away from me the second he would feel the warmth of my hand too close to him. I was happy, so happy that some tears fell however, these weren't created by such emotion, they were worried tears. He let me pet him but still wouldn't eat. – Autumn... Please... I'm begging you.

     As if he understood the amount of pain he was bringing to me at that moment he slowly backed away, leaving me there standing, with hay in my hand. I was worried, I was... I don't know a word to describe how I was feeling except, desperate, and even that one doesn't fully embrace the agony and pain that surrounded my soul at that moment.

     - So that's Autumn. – says Philip while leaning next to me. I quickly clean the runaway tears from my eyes.

      - That's him. – I let out a sigh. – Without eating, again.

      - Do you mind if I try? – he questions while placing his hand over my hand and slowly picking up the hay from it. I nod and let go. – Autumn, come here.

     His soft voice was very appealing, so appealing that all the other horses started to walk towards him.

     - I've heard about Snake Enchanters but never a Horse Enchanter. – I state while letting out a small giggle.

     - I guess there is a first time for everything. – he gives me a kind smile while placing the hay down on the floor next to him. Even though all the horses came to him, Autumn just stayed in the same place, without even looking at him. – Maybe today we will find something. Don't be down.

     Philip puts his hand over my head and pets it softly, messing up my hair. His dark brown eyes were sparkling as if they were covered in glitter but, at the same time, they didn't look exactly happy. His eyes were, most likely reflecting his soul, which was filled with pain.

     - What's wrong? – I question while Philip removes his hand.

     - What do you mean? – he looks at me surprised.

     - You look hurt. I can tell. – I look back at Autumn that was busy drinking some water. –Remember that nothing is stronger than yourself.

     - June... - he says while I start feeling some warmth on my cheeks.

     - J! – says Luke running towards me. I rotate my face in order to see him.

     "What was that?" I thought to myself. I felt something warm but I wasn't touched. I couldn't understand what it was since my body was normal, and I wasn't feeling hot or anything similar. I doubt I was blushing as well since I was cold. I look to Philip and see him fix up his glasses. "Was he trying to touch me when Luke popped up?" That was the only logical thing that could have happened. I guess he might have wanted to pet me a little bit. Weirdly enough I don't feel bothered by it. I assume it is due to the fact that he was my brother's best friend so I end up feeling safe around him.

     I would like to help Philip. I wish I could remove some of the pain he is carrying but I can't handle someone else's demons without knowing them. That would be a complete waste of time, to say the least.

     - We asked Robert if he wanted to lunch with us so we will all be eating together. – Luke smiles at me but quickly enough his gaze turns into one of a mad person while looking at Phillip. "Was he jealous? Most likely." Since Luke really liked me and due to the good relationship that me and Phillip had he could easily misunderstand it. – We are going to an Italian restaurant this time.

     - Sounds great. – I say while walking towards the group. My eyes were curious so they traveled back to see both of them but, instead, I just see Luke grabbing Philip's arm while they both discussed something with each other. From where I was and from their tone of voice I couldn't hear what they were saying, however it didn't look like anything good. Either way, I won't meddle with their affairs, it is nothing to do with me.

     As I reach Robert's house again I find them all sitting in the kitchen and drinking some tea. I join in the conversation while Robert was telling us some of his life stories. "The glory days" as he used to say, in other words, the days where he was younger.

     Time flew by and soon enough it was lunchtime.