Awaken

The Lost Teen and The Forgotten Elder - Part 3

"Um, is everything okay, old timer? It is cool if you do not want to speak it about," William said as he could see the old timer seemed to be absentminded as if his question brought up memories he did not want to remember.

A few minutes later...

"... sorry about that, but I bought this old place because of my deceased wife who always wished to spend the last moments of her life in a park. Where she could plant all manner of flowers and trees..." Steve said with a gentle smile before chuckling, "But anywho what are you still doing here, I thought you would have already left considering the weather has started to clear up a bit?"

"To be completely honest, while I would love to leave old timer, I need somewhere to hang out for a bit and just think about life. So do you by any chance know somewhere nearby where I could chill and relax for a bit?" William asked because even though it would be amazing to walk home and reconcile with his mom, right now both just needed time away from each other to think and acknowledge the hidden trauma neither of them wanted to display.

"Hmm, so did something happen at home, kid for you to come here out of all places on such a gloomy day?"

"Something like that..." William muttered.

"I see so, considering your current circumstances, I think I know the best place for you," Steve said after giving it some thought and believing it would be best for the kid to stay at his home so that he could monitor him in case he did something drastic.

"Please tell me it is not your home as you do not give serial killer vibes, my good sir, but considering it is Sunday and most places have already closed. I guess a serial killer's spot would be the best place to reside for the time being," William analyzed as he scrutinized Steve before sighing and following behind Steve who already began to walk away, the moment William deemed him a serial killer.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! I was just joking, no need to be so serious, old timer, I was only trying to see where your intentions were at," William said as he caught up with the old man and opened the umbrella, he gave him earlier which managed to protect both from the rain.

"Hmm... isn't that something," The old timer muttered with a frown as he shook his head and accepted the situation for what it was.

"Hey, it was just a joke okay... but for real, just how far is your home from Central Park?" William asked as it felt as if they had been walking for hours since he could see nothing but trees, rain, and park benches.

"Not too far, why?" The old man asked curiously as surely, he could not be tired after only walking for a couple of minutes.

"Just curious as the nearest neighborhood is like 30 minutes away?" Willaim replied.

"Damn... My memory is just as bad as my eyesight," commented the old man with a chuckle even though his eyes said otherwise.

'Hmm, I guess the old man has a story of his own to tell...' William thought as he was now starting to get a bit interested in the old man's tale.