"I am as ancient as the illusion you call 'time'.."
"Are you a god?" I ask, shaking a bit.
"I am exactly what you see in front of you." The thing replies
"So.. you're a talking tree?" I ask
"I am...to you." The thing says, almost like a warning.
"Can others see you differently?" I ask
"Some. Those who are open enough."
"Do you have a name?" I ask
"I have been given many names, I suppose you may call me "aegros"."
"Patience?" I question.
Silence fills the area, I can't speak, the silence is so loud it chokes me and I can't breath. The glare from the sun beams down onto my skin like no other. I stand there, frightened. Everything is so quiet until it speaks again.
"Who is that boy that humiliates you?"Aegros humbly asks.
"My brother, Adrian?" I ask
"If that is what you call him." Aegros snootily says.
"He's just a jerk so he can show off to all of his friends." I say, attempting to keep myself sane
"Do you know of that.. thing.. I saw, before I fell into the pool? Was that you?"
"No." Aegros sternly states
"What was it?" I ask, still shaking.
"So many questions from something so small.." Aegros spoke.
"Please.. I need to know what I saw." I pleaded
"What do you think you saw?" Aegros asked, starting to sound annoyed.
"I don't know.. it was like.."
"Yes?" Aegros asked, now sounding interested
"... The flesh was- and the face-."
"Just speak, BOY!" Aegros warned
"The flesh was pale, it was almost colorless except for the veiny thing, blue and purple strings of veins all throughout it.." I attempted to continue the description of the disturbing beast.
"What else?" Aegros asked, as if they knew what I would say
"It's face was flat and empty, no nose, no mouth.. it was so pale.. it looked like a possible dog? The legs were almost human like, but far too skinny, it moved like a deer." I said, trying to recall.
"You have brought yourself into a dangerous field, boy." Aegros spoke.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Mikey!!" I heard my mother screaming for me.
"Be right there!" I say turning slightly, as soon as I turn back around the tree is just a tree, nothing more, nothing less.
I walk inside to see her and my brother on the couch, his friends are gone, and my brother looks like he just got a really long and boring lecture. I prayed I wasn't next.
"Mikey! There you are!!" She said, worried, and with a shaking voice.
"Mom, I've just been outside." I reassured her. She hugged me so tight. Her cashmere sweater smudged itself into my face. I felt her tears ease into my clothing, and a grave feeling of guilt flowed through me like the awful sensation of a blade in my nerves.
My mother turns to my brother and yells, "HOW COULD YOU BE SO CARLESS TO LOSE YOUR BROTHER LIKE THAT!?!?"
"Mom, I'm fine, I promise!" I spout, trying relentlessly to save my brother and hopefully save myself. I know that if my brother gets in trouble, it'll be a beating for me.
"If you're sure." My mother says to me.
I look at every detail of her face, my mother is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Her features are as if crafted by god, her voice was delicately made from the harp of the prettiest angles, her eye color was scooped from the ocean and sky. She was so utterly gorgeous, and no one could see it. I unfortunately got my looks from my father.
My mother walked away. My brother towered over me, I'm 5'6 and my brother 6'2. I had the biggest lump in my throat, and an awful burning sensation crawling up from my stomach into my shoulders. I stared into my brother's eyes, they were glistening with anger, he stood there like he was ready to tear my insides out. I was ready for it. I was waiting for him to actually kill me. He lunged forward, I flinched.
I felt his arms wrap around me, the soft comfort of my brother's warmth had surrounding me. His chin had rested on my head, I felt drops of water sink into my red hair and into my scalp. My brother was actually crying.
I stood there. I couldn't move. Thoughts flooded my brain, all I could think about was the wall he had built up for YEARS, the wall I finally broke down. It took him thinking he lost me to break. I wonder what would happen if he did lose me..
YOU ARE READING
The thing in my backyard
FantasyThis story isn't finished!! I really want to finish the book, I would LOVE any feedback I can possibly get!! Summary: Young Michael struggles with bullying and self-doubt, particularly in the presence of his older brother and his brother's friends...
