Shadows of the Dead

Chapter 1 '' Maybe, I'm not a very normal person after all.''

Aaden? Where are you, young man? Look at what Daddy bought you'', Charlie, Justin's father said cheerfully.

''In here, Dad! I'm talking to Mom'', five year old Justin called back.

Charlie sighed sorrowfully. He followed Justin's voice to lead him to to the room he was in, playing with with his little toy trucks and muttering away under his breath.

''Hey, little guy. I bought you some chocolates'', he smiled as he handed him the red box.

They were Hershey’s Kisses, his favorite, just like his Mother.

''Thanks, Dad'', he returned my smile as I sat down beside him.

After observing a few minutes of silent, Justin nudged his father with his bony elbow.

''Dad, Mom says Hi. Greet her back''

''Hey, Emily'', he mumbled, sighing again. He stood up.

''Um,  Aaden. I'm going to my room to rest for a bit. Play with your toys now and be good'', he told him, ruffling his blonde hair as I got up to leave.

''Okay'', he heard him mutter under his breath, too absorbed with his toys to say anything else.

He turned around once more to catch a glance of he son, muttering brightly.

He caught a glimpse of what he was saying.

''So Mom, my teacher gave me a gold star for my good marks in the math quiz. Are you proud? Dad just bought me......''

Charlie’s forehead furrowed with worry, causing thin lines to form, before he turned away and walked back to his room, feeling defeated.

                                               ***************************

                                                                  Aaden’s P.O.V

’Hey, Aaden! Wait, buddy. Where are you going ? ’’ I heard my Dad call as I hurried out the door.

I stopped in the middle of the garden in front of our house, waiting for him to catch up.

It was the time of Spring . The grass was damp and flowers were blooming around me, Alliums, Cornflowers and Carnations.

Right now, our gardener, Mr. Paul, was moving along the rows trees and bushes with his rusty watering can, naming all the exotic flowers growing on them. He was so content with his work, he didn't even notice me. He didn't have any children and took care of plants like they were there own little daughters and sons. It was quite peculiar but he was a great man. Strange, but great.

I saw my Dad  come up and stand beside me. He was breathing heavily.

‘’Why are you in such a hurry? Do you need to go somewhere? I can drive you, I’m free’’, he said airily.

I restrained from rolling my eyes. I love my Dad but he pampers me way too much. He’s not spoiling me by buying me whatever I want and saying ‘Yes’ to my every command. That would be awesome and I wouldn’t be complaining. He just babies me.

‘Aaden,  where are you going?’

‘When will you come back?’

‘Please let me drive you?’

‘It’s not healthy for you to have no friends’

And the list goes on and on.

I really try to be a good son and stay out of trouble, but sometimes I feel like Dad worrys about me constantly without any sensible reason. It gets suffocating at times, so I try to excape being in the house most of time. But Dad always manages to catch up with me.