Emanuel's Gift

Chapter - 2

1917

From there we started laying out a friendship, the days when my mother and I went to the park. By now I was eight and Anna-Maria was seven years old and she was even more beautiful.

I had to question my emotions; whilst the overwhelming happiness had brought sunshine into my life. I was thinking that I could potentially feel more than just a friendship between us. Even though we were still young children, it was something that had come up and got me thinking. I wondered how my mother, and father had found each other. I dare not ask about it at all, love was something that I thought about whether if I am still friends with Anna-Maria, will there be something there later on.

It was during this autumn day where I and Anna-Maria were playing hide and seek while our mothers were busy chatting away.

"Ok Anna, I'll count to ten while you go and hide" 

I said as I took up a post against a tree trunk while Anna-Maria ran off in a hurry to hide.

Being able to count by now was a bit of a struggle, luckily my mother at least taught me basic stuff yet my young mind was hungry for more. I needed to perfect it all. After I reached ten, I backed away from the tree and looked around, the park was a vastly large place for a seven year old to hide in.

Trees, grassy hills and people, she could be anywhere. As I searched around I was starting to worry a little.

"Where is she?" 

I thought as I walked around, starting to feel lost in this place.

"Anna!"

I called attracting the occasional eye from the adults who wandered around. Though without much of a warning I heard a high shrill that sounded like Anna-Maria's scream.

"Anna!"

 I cried as I wanted to run yet I felt exhausted and strained pain in my chest.

What was wrong with me? I struggled to find her as I staggered along the grass across a path and saw the lake up ahead there sitting in shallows was Anna-Maria crying.

"Anna!" 

I reached the edge, not aware of the red headed street kid that was close by laughing.

"Emanuel!" 

She cried and struggled to get out of the water. Her dress was soaked and covered in mud.

"Emanuel, be careful!" 

I heard the urgency in her tone as the red headed kid approached me.

"Well it seems I got another squirt to push around," 

The boy said with a dirty grin. I turned around looking into the eyes of this angry boy.

"Please don't hurt me. I suggest you go away, or I'll get my parents here and tell you off." 

I said, trying to stand my ground. The red-headed kid laughed.

"You're such a cowardly rich boy! For that, I'll hurt you too." He lunged towards me.

I tried to move away but I wasn't quick enough. Anna-Maria watched in fear as the kid grabbed me by my arms and pushed me into the shallow end of the pond.

"Help!" 

Anna cried trying to alert some adults nearby.

"Think you're better off in this murky pond with your snooping girlfriend! You hear me." 

The red-headed kid shook me a couple of times. My heart was racing rapidly and my eyes closed as I gasped for air.

The commotion caught the eye of a nearby policeman who rushed over, and grabbed the red headed kid and pulled him aside.