Short Story

Unknown

    A young boy walked down the long street in Pineville, it was almost morning, and the sun's vibrant rays crept over the town's vast hills. He snuck out of a mud house's dusty window, a small woven bag strung over his shoulder filled with food. Stepping out of the window he looked around before heading towards a distant forest trekking along a small hidden path covered by thick fern. He continued on his way entering the teetering pine forest, holding his hands out to feel the soft bristle of the pine needles. The boy came to the edge of the forest and stopped in awe at the vibrant beauty of the landscape before him. 

   Before him towered great mountains dappled in shades of white and gray, the sky a blend of fuchsia, violet, and light navy blue. He lifted his arms in adulation feeling the cool breeze whip past him with great fury. He lowered his arms running his hand through his raven black hair, his face speckled with freckles, a bright smile on his face as his eyes glinted in the sunlight. A light mist hung over the valley below slowly vanishing as the rays from the sun warmed the grass below. The boy headed on his way again, and came to a small cave hidden within thick vines and mossy rock. 

   Entering the cave he moved the vines out of the way, slowly past iridescent algae which dotted the wall illuminating a path towards the exit. After exiting the cave the boy came to a small clearing tucked in between towering mountains, in the middle of the clearing a small cottage sat lush grass surrounding it. Smoke billowed out of the chimney cottage. He slowly made his way to the door opening it, heading inside. Suddenly the voice of a young girl shouted from somewhere in the house, her voice was a quiet raspy voice. "Callahan is that you?'' the voice called. The boy, Callahan, replied, "Yeah it's me, stop talking," he said in a sing-song voice. Callahan set the bag down emptying its contents on the kitchen island. 

   Callahan set the bag down emptying its contents on the kitchen island. Some of these items included a small dagger, matches, Bologna, cheddar cheese, freshly picked green beans, and a small feather and quill. He set down his coat and took off the black mask he was wearing, he then slowly headed across the kitchen to an ornate olive-wood door. Callahan slowly opened the door peeking inside with a gentle smile on his face. Inside was a small room with two large windows looking outside, on the wall beside it hung vibrant paintings of plants, creatures and landscapes. Laying on the bed in front of him a girl who looked very similar to him sat glaring, she looked pale and sickly. 

   Cal leaned on the door frame looking at her with a playful smirk, "Hi Tori." Tori looked at him grumpily, she was clearly not in the mood. Callahan frowned, not wanting to antagonize her anymore, walking in, sitting on the soft cushions of the quilt on the bed she layed on. Tori looked up at him frowning, she looked a little sad. "Are... are we still Indicted?" He looked away from her sadly, watching the floorboards as rays of sunlight showered them in a brilliant glow. 

   They had been charged with a crime they had never committed, they had to live in fear, constantly on guard. Cal spoke slowly looking back at her, "I know it's hard... Tori I really do but... we can't..." "Can't what?"*she asked demandingly. "I know you want to find him, I know you do, we just... can't risk it right now." Just then they heard the creak of the front door slowly opening, Tori looked at him nervously. Cal put a finger to his lips, slowly he lifted himself from the bed, quietly padding towards the door to the kitchen. He stood, his back against the wall as he slowly poked his head out of the small room looking around, he stepped out slowly unsheathing the dagger he had strapped to his belt. 

   Cal held the dagger tightly in his hand, he surveyed the area closely just then a rattling came from the icebox behind the kitchen island. Cal was tense, he stood at the ready, his arm raised defensively. Just then the head of a young teenage boy appeared behind the kitchen island, he had a spoon in his mouth and looked at Callahan a little startled. Cal jumped for a moment before breathing a sigh of relief, he put his dagger back in it's sheath. Callahan now looked angry, he glared at the boy. "Oliver you son of a thwap, I about stabbed you." Cal said with anger. Oliver looked at him taking the spoon from his mouth, "Didn't mean to startle you Callahan, just thought I might get some sherbet from the fridge." Cal grumbled, annoyed, he was.... Reliable, to say the least. 

   Just then they could hear violent coughing coming from the other room, they both turned towards Tori's room, worriedly exchanging glances. Oliver and Cal rushed into the room, Tori sat up in the bed curled over her knee in pain. She sat there with staggered breaths, tears rolled down her face as she cried in pain, she gripped her side, her face contorted in agony. "Tori, Tori hey, hey... are you ok?" Callahan rushed forward holding her gently in his arms, he looked down at her worriedly. She gasped quite suddenly, a wave of Nausea hit her, then fell limp in his arms, unconscious. Callaham slowly lay her down on the bed watching her quietly, he looked ready to cry. "She's... getting worse Oliver." Cal looked frightened and confused, Oliver watched him sadly. 

   Tori lay there, trembling, she was breaking into a cold sweat. There was nothing they could do but sit and watch, they've already tried everything. Oliver sat down beside Cal on the bed looking at Tori with concern, hesitantly resting his hand on his shoulder as if trying to provide him with even the slightest of comfort. "How... how long do you think she'll be out?" Oliver asked the slightest bit of curiosity shone through his sorrowful tone. Callahan was quiet for a moment as he watched Tori's breath slowly return to normal. "I'm... I'm not sure... until tomorrow maybe?" Oliver took his hand away from him awkwardly, he sat up watching them for a moment before heading towards the door. "I'm... I'll go clean up the Sherbet." Oliver exited the room leaving Cal and Tori alone.

    It was always so Weird how Oliver somehow seemed to appear whenever something like this happened. Although he appeared to be dumb, his intelligence was breathtaking. Cal didn't understand why he tried to hide it but thought it best not to address it. He looked back down at Tori gently stroking her cheek, he looked at her small tears forming in his eyes. He looked away cursing,"why is it you... it should have been me." He covered his eyes with his hands his voice chocking, crying, the guilt an overwhelming gust of wind. He sat on the edge of Tori's bed watching the floor as tears silently fell from his face. 

   Just then the muffled voice of Oliver could be heard, coming from the kitchen,"Hey uh.... Callahan... I somehow managed... to uh... let's just say... liquify your fridge?" Cal looked over towards the door that led to the kitchen whipping away tears, "W.. what... how did you... never mind, I'll be there in a minute." It was obvious Oliver was just trying to distract him, a small smile came over his face. With that, he stood up.