DEMI-GOD: The Lost

Chapter 11

"Whoa.." Flynn mutters to himself.

There's tall buildings that stretch so far into the sky he can't see the top of them. And a large road filled with these vehicles, it's incredibly loud and the pathways along the side's are way too crowded.

This must be what Grandpa had told Flynn so many times about. The world outside of the farm. It hadn't been that long since they'd left Earth but still he'd never see so many people and buildings before. This is nothing like Olympus or home.

Flynn starts walking slowly, his eyes taking in everything around him. There's so much to see and so much to do. People talking and walking everywhere. Some with specific destinations and others walking mindlessly.

As he walks he finds a forest looking place. It's a lot more open than a forest, there's also a lot fewer animals and the ones that are there are only birds and fish.

It doesn't take long for him to find a path, it's narrow and every so often there's a bench or a tree or fence. After a short while of walking he finds kids running along the grass, some jumping into a small lake, and a pair of couples having a picnic.

Someone rushes past him, they look to be on a run or jog. There's tons of people doing so many different things. All without a care in the world who sees them do it.

The sound of music reaches his ears. Further down the path, on a bench, is an elderly man playing a flute. It's a beautiful tune. Flynn walks closer and sits on the grass in front of the man. The elder stops playing and looks at Flynn with slightly wider eyes.

He's the only person to stop and listen to the beautiful tune.

The song plays on and eventually a group of small animals have formed around Flynn. Squirrels rest on his shoulders and one in his lap, a bird snuggles against his leg and a smaller bluebird is nestled into his hair; Already seeming to build a nest there with twigs and grass now piling up on his head.

A few people have gathered around the man, his music soothing them all as they watch the animals cuddling with Flynn. The music slowly begins to die down to a soft melody that fades till it's completely quiet. The crowd quietly throws money into the man's cup and leaves with a bright smile.

"What's that?" Flynn points at the cup.

"It's money." The man picks up the money from the cup and stuffs it in a small container inside his jacket.

"Why did they put it in a cup?"

"Because they loved the song I guess." The elder leans forward, his hand struggling to hold his body weight as he lowers himself down.

"Why are you working so hard if your body's in so much pain?" The old man laughs at Flynn's comment. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some bread that he lays on a soft blanket along the grass.

"Because I enjoy it, my boy. Seeing the smiles on these peoples faces as they watch me play my flute. I couldn't ask for a better thing to do with my day." A small chipmunk races up to the food once he settles on the bench again. It snatches the bread and crawls up the bench legs and onto his lap.

"Oh you little stinker." The old man brushes his wrinkled fingers against the small creature's fur.

"You like animals too?" Flynn smiles at the interaction, "He really likes you."

"I love animals with all my heart. They're precious little things, they are." He lets out a pained wheeze and pounds on his chest. "Darn this old body of mine." The man coughs into his hand.

"Are you alright old man?" His hands are shaking ever so slightly. The small chipmunk nuzzles against the man's wrinkled hand in an attempt to share his warmth.