A New Dawn

Secrets

Harvey

        She kept her gaze fixed on me. It’s like I did something really bad instead of something really good. I fixed her father, he’s all good now. Why is she giving me that death stare? I quickly regretted helping them out the instant she looked at me like I was someone she wants to get rid of, or maybe it’s the Helper I used on her father. I got it as a birthday present on my 5th. My dad was out that day; I thought he was just hunting for the whole day. He came back with a big sack on his back full of goodies; a ball of cheese, ham, some apples, and a big ball.

        “Dad! What’s this thing?” he handed me the ball and I swore It felt like it was talking to me. “People in the city call it Helper. It’s basically a survival gear in one little ball. Since I always see you get scrapes when you’re playing outside, I thought that maybe my little boy needs one of these” my dad smiled proudly at me and taught me how to use it.

        “What’s that thing?” I snapped out of my day dream and looked directly into her eyes. Her name is Anna, this girl looks stubborn enough to look deadly, the kind you don’t want to mess with. I point towards the ball and gesture towards her dad.

        “Can’t you just talk?” I shook my head in disagreement. I lost my voice because I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I just lived that way, a boy living his life in silence.

        “Whatever you did to my father.. Thank you. Again that is, I don’t know how to repay your kindness” she bowed her head in defeat this time. What did I do now?  

        I want to tell her my name that I’m Harvey. Harvey Williams, the Orphan. I shouldn’t be putting titles to myself walking next to a girl and her father. I gestured towards my house and made an eating gesture that I think is what eating is supposed to be by shoving air into my mouth. She nods and went inside with her father. This day couldn’t get any better! I woke up alive, heard a loud explosion, discovered two other people, and now they’re staying with me. I danced about for a couple seconds before I reminded myself that I need to serve them something. The chickens. My father wanted us to fend for ourselves so he insisted my mom that they should raise chickens, also showing to me and to my brother how they are fed and cared for. I did what he told me and the few chickens we have back then are now a massive number of chickens and roosters. Catch one, break its neck, and cook it with shrubs. This would make a nice meal for my visitors.

        Once I’m done I hurry back to the middle of my burnt down house, I see them sitting in the middle where I always sleep. That place must be a really good spot because they even think so themselves. I put down the cooked chicken between me and my guests and I gestured for them to have some. They looked at each other, then back to the chicken, and lastly to me. As if assuring me that they can really have some. I nod and they dove in. The both of them ate quickly as if the food was going to get away. They must be really starving. I went to the back of our old barn and fetch a pail of water. When I got back, a large piece of the chicken is left on the leaf I placed on the floor. These are very kind people; they don’t take advantage of others. I could trust them with my house and everything here might still be where it was. I placed the pail of water and made a drinking gesture. They both got the idea and did what I told them. It’s amazing how they know what I’m even saying. I ate my piece and drank what’s left of the water in the pail which is too much. “Thank you for a wonderful meal, and thank you for saving my life. I am forever in your debt” I don’t know what the father means in this “debt” thing, but I think it’s important because he said it sincerely.

        “My name is Matthew Edmund, and I assume you already met my daughter, Anna Edmund. We’ve come from a far place from here and the bee we were in crashed” what is he saying about this “bee” thing now. He looks defeated while his daughter’s still looking at me with that death gaze of hers. She doesn’t trust me. I can tell it.

        He kept telling about tales of where they have been, what they have seen, but he doesn’t mention much of what happened when “Hell” broke loose and everyone suddenly disappeared. He told everything, but not what I want to find out. I wanted to ask him, what happened that day, where the others are, who is to blame for it, if only I can say what I want to say.

        “What’s your name boy?” I shook my thoughts away and think of a way I can tell them what my name is. How do I tell them what my name is? I stand up shocking both of them. These lot needs to calm down, it’s totally safe here. I rummage through my baby clothes, I know my mom sew my name on some of my jammies. I just know it. A shirt, pajamas, socks, anything! Then luck hits me again. A scarf mom made when It was winter. It has my full name on it! Harvey Williams. I grabbed the scarf and with it a pendant fell off. Now this is a new thing, I know I haven’t looked much here but I didn’t notice this. It has a carving of two birds on each side with their beaks pointing towards the moon and below them is the sun. It’s decorative so I wore it around my neck.

        I showed the man the scarf with my name faced up. “Harvey Williams?” I nod “You’re a Williams?” I nod again but with a slight confusion on my face. What’s with my surname and this guy? “You don’t happen to be the son of Freidrick Williams?” I nod, shocked. How does he know my father? “Oh, dear child. I’m very sorry for your lost.” I’m staring wide eyed at him now, how does he know that my father’s dead? Is he really dead? How did he die? All these thoughts filling my head. He’s really dead. After all those years, sure, I keep telling myself that they might be on some camp or something. Looking for their own lost child. But he’s dead, and this old man said so. I keep shaking my head, I wanted to scream.

        No. You’re lying. He’s still alive. He’s just missing. He’s not dead. He’s not dead. I couldn’t keep my tears anymore. I’m crying, not making any sounds. I’m crying in front of these strangers, their eyes fixated on me. Please stop, I didn’t mean it. I didn’t do it. I didn’t want the shadows to take them.

 

 

AU: a little shocking isn’t it. I thought a little secret might help jumble things more. Comments? Violent reactions? Suggestions?