Red and the Beast

Birthday gift

Knuckles father walks into the library after receiving a urgent letter from Mrs. Avery. "Mr. Echidna thank you so much for coming this late." She smiled. "Of course you said it has something to do with knuckles." He replied as he took a seat. "Yes I know you'll be leaving in a couple of days once more and Knuckles's birthday is coming up" she said setting down a tray with a teapot and cups. "Yes that is correct" he smiled. "Sir if I may ask..... why not take knuckles with you?" She asked pouring his tea. "Out of the question" he said sternly. "Mr. echidna." She slams the metal teapot down making him jump. "That boy has his mother's adventurous spirit in his heart and shares the same dream as her. Though she loved the adventure with her sons she stilled wished to see the world outside of this village. She died before she could after you suggested she come with you when the boys got older. Locke..... for once just this once let knuckles out of this village let him see what he reads about. Please Locke for Ellen." She pleaded and Locke looks down thinking about how much excitement was in Ellen's eyes when he told her he was going to have her come with him. The night before they were going to leave she collapsed in the garden and knuckles who was only 13 years old at the time helped her into the house. He remembered how sick she was and delayed his trip until she got better. Yet two days later her illness worsened and she passed away. He thinks about knuckles request and him saying "Well if I'm not going to be allowed to leave this town I would like something that isn't part of this town that would last forever." and saw the sadness in his eyes. Locke nods and Mrs Avery smiles.

Knuckles wakes up early to start making breakfast and start on the chores. He noticed the book on his nightstand and knew his father was in here. He grabs the other one he borrowed and reads it as he gets the oats, honey, cream and fresh eggs from the village yesterday. He reads as he stirred the mixture of oats and cream. "Yikes cutting off her tongue for legs...." He muttered. (Fun Fact: he is reading the original story of the little mermaid. Yes the sea witch cut the little mermaids tongue so the little mermaid could have legs) Knuckles looks at the pot and pulls it off the stove. He pours the hot meal into bowls after finishing up the eggs just as his father and brother walk in. "Good morning father and Manson." He said. "Good morning knuckles" his father smiled sitting down. "Morning" Manson said. They start eating the meal knuckles made for them and once finished knuckles goes to wash the dishes when his father stopped him. "Knuckles I need to talk to you Manson you do the dishes" Locke said sternly. "Yes father" he said. "Am I in trouble?" Knuckles asked. "It come to my attention that you really want to venture outside of the village.... So instead of bringing back rocks or crystals from my trip I think you should do that." "Wait are you saying..." "For your birthday you will join me on my trip" Locke smiled and knuckles jumps up and hugs him. "THANK YOU FATHER I CANT WAIT!" He smiled brightly and Locke once again sees excitement in the eyes of his wife. "Ellen our boy really does have your spirit. Go on start packing my son we leave in two days" Locke smiled and knuckles bolts up to his room excitedly to start packing. "Father are you serious?" Manson walks in. "You're going to take my place and will have this chance but knuckles won't it's the least I can do Manson." Locke said. "I'm going to assume Mrs. Avery got to you" "She was your mothers best friend who was like a older sister to her and has been the closest person as a mother figure for knuckles and you since your mother passed. So you Manson should keep your mouth shut she also informed me that knuckles has done the chores while I was gone so this is also a chance to give you some responsibilities while we're gone." He looked at his son who stood silent. "Understood?" "Yes father." He said and started on the chores.
Knuckles smiles walking through town to return his book he finished as he packed. "Good morning Mrs Avery!" He smiled with excitement. "Good morning you seemed in more wonderful spirits today." She smiled. "I'm finally going to seeing outside of the village! My father is taking me with him." Knuckles couldn't stop grinning ear to ear. "Thats wonderful knuckles!" She smiled glad that Locke stuck to his word. "So can I bring you back anything?" Knuckles asked. "I don't want anything more than you telling me everything you seen." She smiled. "I promise you'll be the first" he smiled and hugs her. "Be safe sweetheart" she smiled and he nods before leaving. The next day knuckles loaded up the horse bags with their things on both horses. He couldn't believe he's finally leaving this town to see others. "We will be back in 2 weeks" he hears his father tell his brother. "Ready to go knuckles?" Locke asked and knuckles nods. "This is the best birthday gift ever thank you so much father" knuckles smiled. "I'm glad to hear that my son"

They mounted the horses and began their journey.