Behind the Mask

Long Way Home

The sound of waves crashing into the shore was in sync with his breathing. He breathed in the warm salty air, letting it fill his lungs.

He loved summer - the warm sun, balmy breeze, the sea, and the green forest. Oh, how much he adored adventuring through the forest and then lying down on the tall grass up on the cliff.

He opened his eyes and sat up. From up the cliff, you could see the whole town. Parahill wasn't a big island. If you'd walk from one end of the island to the other, you'd reach the other side in an hour and a half. And he knew every corner and every inch of the island.

"Elias!"

He looked towards the town, the shout of his name barely heard through the waves. Regardless of that, Elias knew who it was. He stood up and started running down the hill towards the town.

It was his mother who was calling him. The town hated when she would shout for him to come, yet this was the only way that she could summon Elias back home.

Elias was the only child his age in Parahill. Consequently, he had no one to play with, so he spent most of his days adventuring and exploring the island. He never minded not having anyone to play or hang out with. He adored walking by himself through the island's forest. And he still had his parents, with whom he loved spending time with.

His mother trained him in throwing knives, which she wasn't keen on teaching Elias, but his father persuaded her to do so. Elias' father was a metalsmith and a woodcarver who on slow days gladly gave Elias a chisel and showed him how to carve wood.

They were very renowned in Parahill and therefore everyone knew Elias. If it wasn't for his energetic personality, it was for the resemblance of his father's blue eyes and his mother's black silky hair.

"Hey, kiddo where are you going?" Asked an old man who would always sit in front of his house on his wooden chair.

Elias smiled and waved to him. "I'm going to pa and then we're going home."

"Tell them I said hi."

Elias' smile widened as he sped up. "I will!"

He passed the marketplace where a ship, which had just left the harbour, brought new supplies and provisions. Elias stopped by the market stall with fruit. He went on his tippy toes and peeked through a heap of green apples.

"Oh, Elias!" Said the lady behind the stall. "It's just a matter of days and you'll be taller than this pile of apples."

"I already am tall!" Said Elias annoyed. "I'm almost as tall as you."

She smiled softly. "Almost. Want anything?"

"My ma said, I need to bring oranges when I come home."

The lady nodded and picked some oranges, putting them in a little basket. When she handed it to Elias, she added a handful of Vomlies, sweet red berries, and winked to Elias. "So, you'll grow faster."

Elias' grin widened, exposing a gap between his baby teeth. He thanked her and hurried up the busy road to his father's workshop while trying not to drop the oranges. When he arrived at the forge, Elias had to put down the basket to open the big heavy door.

As soon as the door was open, he was met with eyes the same as his own. The man was just putting down his apron.

"Pa!"

Elias' father spread his arms as Elias ran into them. Despite his strong arms, he had trouble holding him up.

"Gosh Elias, you're getting too big for this."