The Choice

Chapter Five

"Ichimatsu!" Karamatsu called, looking for his friend as he wandered into the eating area off from the kitchen. "I have to go pick up some groceries at the market today. Would you like to come along?"

Ichimatsu nodded his head. It had been so long since he had last left the church. He was really longing for a change of scenery.

"I'll go with you," Ichimatsu mumbled, completely forgetting that he was still a wanted person in the village.

And as soon as the two left the church, walking casually into the village, one of the church members stopped Karamatsu and began to talk to him about some kind of religious thing, which Ichimatsu didn't understand.

"Just a moment please," Karamatsu said to his friend then turned to Ichimatsu, handing him the grocery list and his money. "Go on to the market without me. I shouldn't be too long, my boy."

Ichimatsu nodded his head and began to walk into the market.

First, he went to the produce area and bought exactly six pears, just as the list said. He then went on to purchase two apples, a pound of bananas, a small bag of chestnuts, and a half gallon of milk.

"I think that's all..." Ichimatsu mumbled,when suddenly, someone kicked him from behind, causing him to drop the rest of Karamatsu's money and the bag of groceries.

And when Ichimatsu turned around to see who had kicked him, there was an entire crowd of people surrounding him. The person who had kicked him had a sharp knife in his hands.

The man bent down and grabbed Ichimatsu by the collar of his shirt and began to shake him while other people began to throw rocks and other things at the poor boy.

"Stop! Please stop!" Ichimatsu cried out desperately. "Leave me alone!"

"Listen to the little murderer! He expects us to stop!" the man spat, holding his knife up to Ichimatsu's throat. "Die."

Ichimatsu quickly snatched the knife away from the man, cutting open his hand in the process, but he didn't care.

As long as he was alive, nothing even mattered.

Ichimatsu pointed the knife at the man, still lying flat on the ground.

"Back off!" Ichimatsu shouted. "Get away from me!"

"I'm not scared of you," the man said, slapping Ichimatsu across the cheek.

When suddenly, Karamatsu pushed his way through the crowd, pushed the man away, and helped Ichimatsu to his feet again.

"Karamatsu!" the people yelled angrily. "Why are you protecting the boy?!"

Karamatsu breathed heavily, standing in front on Ichimatsu, acting as a shield for him.

"Why are you all so judgmental!" Karamatsu yelled, "Can't you see this is all just one huge misunderstanding?!"

"He murdered my husband!" a woman yelled out desperately. "He deserves to die!"

"Kill him already!" the village butcher yelled. "Nobody wants that filth around here! He's not safe!"

"You don't understand!" Karamatsu yelled back. "None of you understand what this boy has been through!"