The Bodies Of Six

Freddy Fazerton

"Freddy!" Freddy's mom exclaimed. "Remember to pack your clothes and your pillows! Don't forget anything!" 

Freddy got up and sat on the table. He grabbed his bowl of cereal and started munching away on it. He looked out the window: it was blindly bright. Freddy couldn't help but notice a big group of children dancing away. They looked so happy; He wished he was one of them.

After Freddy finished, he went back to his room to say his last goodbyes to it. "I'll see you later, home." He said, almost about to burst into tears; it was the only home he's ever had.

When Freddy made his way back downstairs, he couldn't help but turn to his mom. "Mom, why are we doing this? Can't we stay?" His little face pouted. "You know the exact reason, sweetie," she shot back. "Stop asking me."

They walked into the driveway and put their luggage into the car. Freddy sat at the back, trying to hide his tears from his mother.

I hope I'll make friends there, Freddy said to himself.

Freddy dad wasn't returning. Ever. He was going to work in different countries to help raise awareness of malnutrition. He was a nice and caring man but after the divorce, things went downhill. He started to stay late and drink more, and soon, he left his family.

"I wanted him to stay," Freddy's mom spoke as she started to sob.

Freddy's mother was a strong woman. She usually let nobody break her or get her down, but she finally broke and cried for the entire trip to the airport.

Freddy cried himself asleep for a little while until they entered the airport. They went through enough security to last a lifetime, and before Freddy knew it, his legs were perched upon the airplane step. 

"We will be taking off in a little while," said the flight attendant over the speakers in a big voice. It was goodbye Nevada and hello New York.

As quick as the plane ride started, they landed in about an hour or so. As Freddy looked out the plane window, there were malls, parks, hotels, trees, and a big and bright red school that particularly stood out to him.

"Will I be attending this school, mom?" Freddy asked. His mom wasn't sure but assured him that wherever he went to learn would be amazing. She kissed Freddy on the head.

When Freddy's mom was younger, she was an architect, a mind of pure genius, but she lost that after Freddy's dad wasn't around anymore. It was a shame, really.

Before the divorce, life was simple: no hustles, no bustles, and no financial troubles since they combined all their money into a tiny credit card that was mostly used by his dad. Once he left, Freddy's dad took all the money, and barely had enough money to pay for the airplane.

As they were ready to get off the plane, Freddy realized how much he missed his old home, friends, and most of all: his father.

{-----:-----}

*SMACK*

"Freddy, stop being so loud," Freddy's mom spoke. That was the sound of his suitcase slamming against the motel floor.

It was pretty nice and clean for a motel. It had a white texture and a good and nice waffle smell. That made them question whether they were really at a hotel.

Once they got settled into their room, there was a knock on the door. "Hello? Is anybody in there?" A male voice said from outside the door. He could tell that it was the voice of a boy, probably around his age.

He opened to see a boy that was around 14 years old; a little bit older than Freddy. He was wearing purple apparel with a purple vest, purple pants, purple shoes and a purple shirt. 

"You must be the new fella's around here," He spoke. 

"Yes, that's right." Freddy's mom answered. "And you are..."

"Oh! My name is Finn. I'm here to make you feel welcomed. I do this to every new resident at the motel. I can show your son around the city! Is that alright?" The boy spoke.

"That would be great! Fred, if you would like, this nice young man is willing to show you around the city!"

Freddy wanted to stay home and relax in the new room but he had no choice; he left with Finn.

Finn and Freddy walked out of the motel and made their way to Brinsborrow Park, where they started to talk about their childhood and it ended with them both going over their favorite memories as a kid.

"When I was a kid," Finn began. "I used to go biking with my dad a lot. We went over bumpy hills and steep mountains and would get hurt a lot. I always had my dad, but..." Then he stopped. "But...he's gone now."

"Oh no!" Freddy exclaimed. "Where did he go? On a trip?"

Finn just looked at Freddy in a disgusted face.

"What?" Freddy asked looking at Finn gravely.

"My stupid dad died when I was nine, ok? He got into a car accident while driving back from work. I was so excited to see him again. B-but...I didn't. And if I knew that he was going to have an accident that day, like, if I could predict the future and stuff, I would've gone to him or at least called. I was stupid."

They both just stared at the ground. Freddy didn't know what to do or say. He was really awkward in uncomfortable situations.

"Oh look!" Finn pointed into the distance where a group of kids entered the park. He snarled at them. "Middle schooler's. They are so annoying! God, I could hit all of them like bowling pins with a rock. No! A pebble. Always making noise and coming into the motel like they own the place. Twelve year old's are the worst."

Freddy's hand got sweaty and took a big gulp: he was twelve.

"Now that I'm thinking about it, how old are you, Fred?"

"I-i'm...um....tw-THIRTEEN!" Freddy shouted. "I'm thirteen."

"Good, because you seem like one of the most normal people I've met in my life. I've got my eye on you, Fred." Finn smiled, patting Freddy's back.

"I-i need to go now," Freddy nudged away Finn's hand from his back. He walked out of the park and once he was out of Finn's sight, he started to run. He ran and ran all the way back to the motel. He felt safe once he got back.