A Kingdom of Our Own

Chapter Nine - The Parting

Dalton lay there silently for a while, pondering on what he’d been told. He certainly didn’t react in the hysterical, dumbfounded manner that Harry had expected to ensue. In fact, he remained surprisingly at ease, it seeming as if he’d been expecting to hear news of the sort all along. To say the least, Harry was impressed by his friend’s calmness, given the dire circumstances.

Still, even now that he had the full picture; Dalton didn’t say anything on the matter, being by no means as collected on the inside. In all honesty, he no longer knew what the right thing was to say. Should he be comforting? Supportive? Or maybe he should offer his friend a solution to his problems? Due to his great uncertainty over what he should say, after a little thinking, it ended up being Harry and not Dalton who continued to speak.

“I have to leave. Tomorrow. Probably at dawn. It’s not safe for me here anymore.” Harry said. Even with the drastic consequences accompanied by what he was saying, his words didn’t come out in a fearful tone, but rather in one of firm determination. In fact his whole outlook towards these series of unfortunate events were rather calculated and adult-like, failing to reflect the powerless child he truly was. It was quite strange actually, given that on a daily basis he was one of the most immature of sorts, constantly looking for trouble (a fact that Dalton would quite willingly vouch for).

“I mean my old man’s been on an awful mean streak lately to and from time to time I’ve been thinking that skipping town would be for the best.”

Dalton’s eyes widened in surprise. Deep down he’d always known what Harry had witnessed would call for radical action, such as fleeing town, but it was news that he wasn’t yet ready to hear orally. He still needed some time for the realism of it all to set in.

“I’ll come with you… You can’t do this alone…” Dalton cut in eagerly. It was a careless, rash remark that failed to take into account the impact it would have on his own life and future prosperity, something that only Harry seemed to be taking note of at the time. Then again, Dalton Hughes had always been a rather selfless character. It would be dangerous, Dalton knew that; but danger was a small price to pay when it came down to friendship. Harry was quick to stop him in his tracks though, clearly in deep opposition to such an idea. “No! No Dalton!” he cried out all of a sudden, raising a hand to silence his friend. Surely he was thrilled by the offer, by the fact that he knew someone who he could rely on wholeheartedly and was willing to loyally follow him away from everything they had ever known in life. But nevertheless, as much as it broke his heart, it was an offer that he could not accept.

“This is something I have to do alone. You’ve got too much to lose. A family that loves you. A shot at a decent life and career. I’d never be able to forgive myself if I robbed you of that; after all you’ve done for me.”

Just from observing his dark facial expression, it was clear that Dalton still opposed his friend’s verdict. He needed him, no matter how foolish he may have been. They were connected. There was no one else (with the exception of his brother) who truly understood him as a person and that he could open up to in conversation. Dalton’s trust wasn’t easily gained; it took a great deal of time and commitment.

Regardless of his personal views though, he stood by Harry’s wishes, nodding sincerely to show that he understood where he was coming from.

“Ok, then it’s set” Dalton muttered slowly under his breath, as if he were already dwelling on their parting, the hurt of losing Harry already deep. It would be a heavy burden to bear, being left alone in Portland and having to deal with the terror of Gavin singlehandedly, without allies. “But I’m telling you, you’d better not leave town without saying goodbye to your old friend first. And if you ever need anything when you’re gone, any help at all, all you need to do is ask… I’m gonna miss you mate…”

Harry placed an arm around the back of his tearful friend. It was a bit ironic really, that he was the one having to do all the comforting. After all it had been he and not Dalton who had gone through a traumatic ordeal earlier on in the day. Anyone would have thought it was Dalton who had witnessed a brutal murder and was now no. 1 on Gavin’s hit list, being hunted down ruthlessly to the death!

“I know… I know” Harry cried in sombre agreement. “It’s a wide world out there though, full of adventure!” he added, rather brightly so this time, trying to lighten the mood amidst so much hostility and uncertainty. “One day, if I find that better place and start afresh, I’ll write to you and maybe we will meet again.”

Dalton smiled lightly in return and both the boys, for some peculiar reason, broke out into laughter. There was no reason for it. There didn’t need to be one. They were both well aware that it would probably be the last night they would ever spend together and so obviously, they wished to make the most of it. There would be no use in having a bitter last memory. A good, happy one to look back on though would help both of them to muster the courage needed to fight through the hardships that were inevitably coming their way.