Skyrise

The Mystery Man Walks

Oak

     "Is he awake?" Dawn asked.

     "I dunno!"

     "Where did you find him?"

     "He capsized us! I found him at the bottom of Spectre's lake!"

     "Are you sure it wasn't a human-shaped piece of moss?"

     "How many breathing clumps of moss do you know?!"

     "All moss breathes. They're technically plants, so--"

     "Dawn!"

     She chuckled. "Sorry, Oakey. I know what you meant. Must you pull so hard on my arm? Sheesh!" She pulled away.

     I sighed. "They should be through here." I pulled back the branches of a willow tree to reveal the pond. Both boys were startled and jumped into an attacking position. It makes sense. There's no telling what else is lurking out in the woods at this hour.

     "Hello to you boys, too." Dawn said, rushing past. "You boys had all the time in the world and didn't clean all of the moss off?!"

     "Oh! Sorry!" Fox, Spectre, and I shouted apologies and went about cleaning off the patient. Dawn grabbed Spectre's shoulder and looked long into his eyes. I felt a pang of jealousy. I was involved in the accident, too...

     "You really should get some sleep, Spectre. Studies have shown that victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder--"

     "I don't have PTSD!!" He straightened to a height of 6'8. "I'm fine. Just a bad nightmare every now and then. No need to baby me!"

     She sighed. "I'm sorry. I just worry about you, that's all."

     "Done!" I shouted.

     "Is this to your liking, Your Highness?" Fox teased.

     "Shut up and let me work!" She shoved Fox to the side. We boys chilled as close to out of the way as we dared. It's not every day we get a new arrival, and we wanted to catch a glimpse of the guy. Dawn muttered medical jargon that sounded way too much like a satanic ritual.

     "Dawn. You're muttering incantations again."

     "Done! He should wake u--!" She gasped. "I'm psychic!"

     "He's awake? What does he remember? Who is he? Does he speak English? How old is he? Will he survive here?" We jostled to find spots around the guy, all speculating and wondering aloud about him as if he wasn't there.

     "Get back! You're scaring him! Come on, give me some room! Scoot back, guys!" Dawn battled us back and turned to the 'patient'. "Can you sit up?" She asked, kneeling at his side and taking on a gentler tone. He nodded and did so. "Don't worry about them. We're all really excited to meet you, that's all. Can you talk?"

     "Yeah, can you--?"

     "Fox." She warned as I elbowed to the front. The new guy had dark hair and his eyes looked green. "He's not a bug. Be nice." I saw him allow a quiet chuckle at Dawn's comment. He looked our age. Maybe around 20? "Back to business." Dawn said. "Can you talk?"

     "I...I..." His voice was scratchy, and barely audible. His shoulders slumped in disappointment. He sighed and shook his head.

     "No, I guess not." Every one of Dawn's words seemed to stab a little more fear and disappointment into his posture.

     "That's completely fine!" I said, slowly emerging from the crowd to come to his aid. My arms were raised in an attempt to appear non-threatening. "There's a girl here on the island. Her name is Songbird. Her potato soup can fix anything! Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, anything, I guarantee it! I bet she can help you with your voice!"

     "Where is Songbird?" Fox asked.

     "We can go get her once we bring him inside." Dawn turned to the new guy. "By the way, there are monsters out here. They're real. We need to go to someone's house and stay there until we decide the next step. Can you walk if we help you?" He set his gaze on the glowing torch in Spectre's window and nodded, a persevering gleam in his eyes. "Okay, give me your hand." Dawn said.

     The new guy gently pushed her hand away. He rolled over onto his stomach and slowly pushed himself up. "Don't over do it..." Dawn warned. He stood up and wobbled before leaning on a tree for support. I slowly reached out for him. Dawn's eyes were wide as if she could practically see him falling. He pushed himself off of the tree and landed on another tree. Each step was slow, but his grin grew bigger with every one.

     We continued like this until we got to Spectre's house. We cheered for him having this personal victory. Spectre volunteered to go to Songbird's and get her. He probably needed a walk to process what was going on, anyway.