The Scronicles

petchy remembers.

"What?" his father, Menkrin, said in utter disbelief.

"You heard me, the dried fruit have sparked a rebellion, every male-nut over eighteen in each household must come and fight with us." The Walnut said in a slightly angry tone, "Don't make me say it again or I will have you executed. Pack your things and let's go!" He said forcefully.

"No!" cried Petchkrin. "Dad, you need to stay here, with me and Mum! We need you!"

Menkrin bent down to Petchkrin and whispered to him. "Petchy, everything will be alright. Take care of your mother for me. I will be back before you can say, Scroggin, I promise."

Menkrin pulled his son into a short hug. He tried to pull back but Petchy held on around his neck, not wanting to let go of his father.

"Come on Petchy, let go I promise I will be back soon, take care of Amichi."

Sobbing, Petchkrin let go of his father's neck.

Menkrin pulled Amichi, Petchy's mother into a long passionate hug. 

"Petchy." Amichi said, " Everything will be okay, I am sure of it."

Petchy looked up at his mother but couldn't keep her gaze. He looked over to the other side of the road, he saw a girl, she was around 15, his age. It seems as if her family was getting the same treatment as his family. He looked her up and down, his eyes lingered on her face, she was rather striking. She looked over at Petchy and their eyes locked. They both looked away, embarrassed. Petchy thought he had seen her somewhere but didn't have time to think about it. The Walnut had left and his parents were pushing him back inside the house.

"I have to pack." Said Menkrin.

"Let me come fight with you!" Petchy desperately argued. "You can' t leave us and I can fight! I am old enough to go. Please, let me come"

"Hush, Petchy. Go upstairs now. Everything will be okay in the morning, I promise." Amichi soothed. "No! You can't go!" Petchy gasped, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry, baby." Amichi hugged Petchy hard once inside the house. Petchy gripped his mother hard, tears not stopping, soaking Amichi's woven wool cardi. Menkrin stood watching across the room. "Go." Amichi whispered to him. Menkrin nodded and headed up the stairs silently, unknowing that this would be the last he would see of his family.

He packed his bag and with each garment he packed the feeling of dread loomed closer. He could hear downstairs Petchy and his mother having a heated argument about whether he could come fight. Even though his journey hadn't even started he knew this would be the hardest part. He crept down the stairs as silently as he could and as soon as he set foot in the room the arguing ceased into a sad silence. Menkrin went to his son, "Petchy, everything will be okay, I promise I will be home soon."

"Please let me come, I am ready." Petchy cried. 

"No, you are not ready. I know someday you will be ready and you will make me the proudest peanut in the whole Scroggin packet".