The Beast runs Free

part 6

The time hit 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and the first people would soon be waking up from their rest. Caleb however, who was the last to fall asleep out of them all, due to his extensive imagination, seemed as if he was in his deepest stage of sleep. That is usually that type of sleep that hits you later on but also regenerates someone, even if it lasts for a mere five minutes.

His grandfather would then open his eyes, and slowly stand up and get ready for heading out. As he saw Caleb sleeping like a cuddly little lamb, the old man felt unsure about disturbing the young one and decided to let him be. He then opened the fridge and packed some cold bottles of water, to take with him for the day. At that time, Caleb's grandmother and his uncle's wife would wake up as well. Seeing that the old man was preparing to head out, his daughter in law reminded him that, it would be best taking some food along.

Once his grandmother would enter the living room, Caleb's rest would be interfered with, from the dispute between his grandparents as to why, the little boy was permitted to sleep on the ground. It didn't take much talking, to make Caleb wake up after that. Realising that his grandfather was already packing up, Caleb was left slightly upset.

"I didn't want to bother you, my champion." Explained his grandfather, hoping his nephew would not take it in a bad way.

"You did say you were going to take me with you, Grandpa!"

"Well... you're awake now, aren’t you? Pack your stuff up." His grandfather said and rubbed his hair.

Caleb gave a hug to his grandmother and picked his backpack up, containing some water and two sandwiches his grandma had prepared for him.
Usually other kids from around the area, especially in the summer, while the adults would work on the fields and such, they were left looking after the animals. It was common for the young shepherds, age raging from nine to fifteen years old, to mix their herds and watch over them collectively. By doing that, more eyes were on the lookout and also, it made it more fun. Playing hide and seek or taking a ball with them, it just made time fly by, quicker.

However since the hunt had started, the kids were advised to just build fences around the livestock and pick it up later afternoon, before the sunset. More youth were moving out of the villages as years passed by. The education system was better down the Highlands and alot of them were inspiring to become something else than what they called "simple farmers".

Thus giving the impression that, the Highlands looked like ghost towns. Or rather, ghost valleys. Something that would encourage the adults even more, not to leave their children alone, guarding the livestock. Mostly now, since the attacks had occurred. One might argue that, mainly now, the animals needed that protection, since all of this started, but... trying to balance between the livestock and the children, one could only understand which was more important.
In order to balance between two things, they needed to be of the same value. Crucial as the livestock was, for the highlanders or for any parent out there, nothing could compare to the well-being of their children.

That would not bother our Caleb however, since wandering alone, was not something, he as an adventurer had a problem with. Not to mention, his grandfather was by his side.
Being some of the first villagers to get the livestock out, the path that lead to the reservoir over the Long Hill, was significantly quiet. Little movement could be heard in the bushes and if you gazed upon the fields surrounding the area, bright colours would accompany you along.

Green from the new grass that had been growing, golden by the longer one that had been dried out, from the sun. Small areas turned into puddles, filled with water canes and swarming insects, flying all over. Hosting frogs, that would call out at night, being heard all the way back to the village. And if the cattle would rush to get to the water after being fed in the heat, and you would somehow get your feet in there... walking out, would mean taking something back, out with you.
Leeches, grabbing a hold, sucking their meal out.