Inner Stone

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

                Sommy glared at the seemingly calm sky. His mind was in utter turmoil and the little cranks and knobs seemed to be turning at a fast pace. He could hear people whispering about the Old Hag as if she were an alien without feelings. She sure didn’t seem bothered that they were calling her ‘mad’. But, was she really as mad as people said she was? What if truth lay beyond the words she spoke? And what about the lines of people being completely oblivious to the horrors around the corner?

                He heard the sound of feet beside him decreasing in volume as he was awoken from his reverie. Looking up abruptly, he saw Tawryn running towards the Old Hag’s inn. Quickly, Sommy ran to catch up. He gripped the other boy’s arm sharply and pulled him to a stop at the dirt crusted door. Tawryn turned to the boy in annoyance.

                “What’d you do that for?” His voice was laced with agitation, his breath coming out quicker than usual.

                Sommy looked at the sky in indifference, and then stated plainly, “The Old Hag’s probably tired. Let’s do her some good and leave her alone for the time being. God knows how late she stays up cooking her new fairy tales.” Though as far as we know, they could be real.

                Tawryn looked at the door, then at Sommy. Silently he agreed and let Sommy pull him away from the entrance to the inn. He turned to the redhead and watched his pale face. To any passing person, Sommy would have looked indifferent—somber even. But after so many years, Tawryn could tell by a glance what his friend was feeling. Today was no different. The simple twitch of Sommy’s eyebrow told the other boy that he was slightly perplexed with something. Though, Tawryn knew better than to bug the redhead about it. He would tell him when the time was right.

                “So, where are we going now?” Sommy started out of his mind at the quiet question. He could feel Tawryn’s heavy gaze upon him, but didn’t look at the boy. Instead he dropped the boy’s arm and pointed to a local bakery.

                “Let’s go there for an early brunch,” was all the lanky teen spoke. Tawryn rolled his eyes but agreed nonetheless with a nod.

                The two boys silently approached the small bakery. The smell of fresh bread and delicacies wafted out of the open windows. People were continuously running in and out of the swinging door. The little red bell hanging over the door chimed just as often. Sommy reached the door first and held it open as both boys wandered in.

                Inside was a wooden counter with a glass covering in which was showcasing many bakery goods. Little booths were scattered around the small room dressed in striped tablecloth coverings. Few people were lounging in the tables. Many people were rushing for orders on take-out deliveries. The waiters and bakers were dressed in the same colorful pink and yellow attire. Again, there was little chatter in the air, except for a few frantic orders. There was a fast moving line of people who were quickly ordering and leaving. Sommy and Tawryn stepped into line as the people moved forward a few paces.

                Ever since the invention (or re-invention) of sugar was made, starches were mixed into colorful cakes and patties. They were highly qualified as delicacies for special occasions. However, nowadays, the high had died down a little. Prices on the sugary sweets also dropped along with the excitement. For young boys such as a certain Tawryn and Sommy, it became a mostly weekly treat.

                The boys stood in line for about two minutes before they were at the front of the line. A young girl with glossy chestnut hair clucked her tongue impatiently as she took their orders. They both ordered some round cake patties with walnuts in the middle. Tawryn also got a cheesecake. They were politely (“GET YOUR BUTTS OVER THERE AND WAIT FOR YOUR ORDERS. THANK YOU FOR ORDERING AT SUAN’S BAKERY.”) asked to stand aside for other customers to order.

                Both Tawryn and Sommy moved to avoid yet another hysterical mother who was on the verge of tears. Taking a part in involuntary eavesdropping, they found that her son’s birthday was tomorrow and she had yet to find the perfect cake for him. They both rolled their eyes simultaneously as they inched away from the mother.

                “So, how’s Koral doing these days? Her throat feeling better? I could get Auntie to run by if she needs more cough medicine. She’ll be free since the number of sick patients and injured coal miners has gone down to rock bottom these days.” Tawryn supplied helpfully, trying to start small talk with his silent friend. The pale boy seemed too far lost in his own world ever since the Old Hag had spoken at the hall.

                Light green eyes washed over the brown haired boy. There was an awkward silence before Sommy spoke up. “Yer, Koral’s doing fine. Geff’s babying her again. He always seems so protective of her as if she were his little angel. It’s almost comical watching her face when he gets into one of his moods. She’s only seven, but acts like his mother.” Both boys laughed as they imagined Geff jumping around annoying Koral. She seemed so much more like Sommy than Geff. They were both the silent, intellectual types. Even for a seven-year-old, she was very serious in her studies and way of life. Sometimes Tawryn felt it was overly creepy for her to be so silent and brooding, but after seeing Sommy and his father it didn’t seem so unbelievable.  

                “ONE—WAIT MAKE THAT TWO—TWO ORDERS OF PINCATTA CAKES WITH WALNUTS—AND A CHEESECAKE! TWO ORDERS OF—”

                “We’re here. Those are our orders, thanks.” Sommy said coldly to the wildly loud man who was holding their food. Looking a little put out, the man handed the redhead both orders and ran back into the kitchen. With a thoughtful look on his face, Sommy returned to where Tawryn was seated and handed him his cake. Tawryn thanked the redhead and started on his pincatta.

                Sommy silently began eating his as Tawryn moaned at the delicious taste that filled his mouth.

                “Mmm…nothing beats a nice, crisp pincatta cake, aye Sommy?” The said boy nodded his head in agreement, but didn’t add anything vocally. Tawryn was too filled of warm thoughts to care.

                Sommy looked up at the lightening sky once more before crunching down on his walnut. Hn, I guess I’ll have to find that Old Hag and ask her a few of my questions as well. He chewed thoughtfully and swallowed without taking another bite. Chewing silently on his fork, he looked at Tawryn and grinned inwardly. Guess I’ll have to accompany him if I want any answers.

                Tawryn came through his bliss as he finished his delicious cake patty. He looked at his empty plate forlornly, wishing for more. The walnut had been the exact ripe tenderness and the texture of the cake itself had been creamy and filling. The lingering taste of pineapple cream was left in his mouth like a dawdling dream. He licked his lips longingly. A tap was felt on his shoulder and Tawryn turned to see Sommy had finished his cake as well. The redhead got up and pulled the other boy to his feet. They both tossed their plates into a nearby trash and walked down the dusty road gaily.