Maps

Chapter 4

Luca started running away. He wanted to go as far as he could.
How could he have said such things to one of- no, his best friend?
He was to embarrassed about himself.

After some time he got tired, so he stopped by a nearby pond he found.
He knew that pond. *If I'm at the pond, I must be pretty far away from Annabelle's home. I should be fine here.* He sat down by the pond, with his back to the wall and hurried his face in his arms. It was just to much pressure that was put on him. He couldn't handle it. His dad wants him to leave home, then he's supposed to marry someone he doesn't even love, what else will come?

The birds were tweeting. A cold breeze blew away his fluffy brown hair and the sunlight of the mid-day sun high up on the sky was just as warm as you would expect in the middle of summer.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"
A familiar voice started to speak to him. Luca was just about to fall asleep when he heard the boys voice.
He looked up surprised, it was that guy- Callen.
Callen was looking at Luca from above, he was bowing over the pond and looked right into Lucas big eyes that were staring at him like a little kid looks at a cute cat.
"What were you doing? You look like you were just about to fall asleep. Sorry if I woke you up."
"No, it's okay. It's not like I had anything better to do." Luca hurried his face in his arms again.

"Oh..." Callen walked around the pond and sat down next to Luca.
"So, wanna tell me what happened?"
Luca looked at him surprised.
It's not like they were close friends or anything, but he really needed someone to listen to him. He had nobody he could tell his problems, so it was okay for him to tell them to this total stranger.
"Huuhh...you know that feeling when people- just expect to much from you?"
Callen looked a bit surprised.
"Yeah...I do. Just way to good."

Callen looked over to the forest.
Maybe he had found someone that understands him. That also gave him a bit of hope.
"I just- I can't keep up with it all. People should just let me do what I want! At least for once..."
"Don't worry. I'm sure things will get better soon."
Luca looked at him.
"What makes you say that?"
"I think you're a good person. I see how you try to help out everyone around you that needs help. I'm not a good person. I'm selfish and spoiled.
You deserve more, Luca."
Luca looked away to the floor.
*Hm...maybe he is right.*

Soon after, the sun went down and it started getting cold.
"I think you should go home now. I'm sure your parents are worried about you."
"Oh, uh, I guess you're right. Thank you very much for the talk!"
He said with a smile on his face, and then he went home, happy again.

Callen stayed there a bit longer.
Soon it got really dark and the wolves started howling. "Man, I really wished you'd shut up for a moment." He said into the forest. He stood up and started walking back to the town.
When he arrived at the marketplace he heard familiar voices.

"HEY! Sir Callen!! Where are you?"
"I'm here, stop shouting."
He said annoyed by his bodyguards.
"Ah, there you are. Your father was really worried. You should have come home earlier. I'm sure he won't like this."
"Of course he was 'worried' "
He walked past the bodyguards.
"Sir, please wait! You can't go home alone, it's to dangerous."
"Of course it is."

Soon they arrived at the XXXX(Nachname abdellahs) mansion.
The hallways were big and vacant.
They were cold. As if no one had walked through them in centuries.
Callen could even hear his own heartbeat while walking down the hallway. Not long after he finally arrived at the main room of the mansion. First he XXXXX (zögerte) but he decided to knock.
The door was screeching as it opened its big, beautifull, golden doors.

The light blinded his eyes, it was just to bright.
"Hello, son. Mind telling me where you were this late at night?"
It was his father that was speaking to him. He had a strong and manly deep voice. It sounded like he had been through a lot and had seen a lot of people dying along the way.
Callen closed the door behind him and walked to the long table that was in the middle of the room, where his dad was sitting at the top.
"I was out by the pond" he said while pulling away the chair that was at the other end of the table.

"What? Shouldn't you be spending your time learning new sword techniques, or maybe leadership skills? Oh, while were speaking of it, you should spend some time with lady Joceline Di Stefano. If you're going to marry her, might as well make her like you." Callen could hear in his father's voice that he was very angry.
He always was. The last time he wasn't, was probably before Callen was born.

"I probably should. But don't you think you are giving me to many tasks? Let me live for once. I'm not your little clone that has to correct all of your past mistakes." Callen picked up the silver spoon that was lying on the table, right next to the silver plate In front of him.

His father gave him an angry look. Mentally, he was telling him to not talk back at him or give him attitude.
I mean, what reasons does Callen even have to cry about? He had all he wished for. He has his father's money, which isn't less, he has a beautiful future wife that he will marry, what else would he wish for?

"Don't be so ungrateful, Callen. I saw you talking to that boy. I don't want you to do that in the future. He's bad influence. Stop that."
Callen looked shocked. But he didn't look up, instead he stared at his plate, and didn't even say a word.
How could he say that?!
This really made him angry. But Callen knew he couldn't do anything against his father. That still didn't mean he would stop seeing Luca.

"Fine. I'm going to bed now."
He got off his chair and walked to the door. Right as he was about to walk out the door his dad said one last thing.
"Callen. Tomorrow i organised some riding lessons for you. You have to improve. You better be there."
Callen looked at him with an angry face, and without saying anything, he left with a loud bang.

-------