Secrets in the Snow

Chapter 9

A lone owl hoot rang out into the warm summer night, sending field mice running for cover. Two boys sat outside their worn down home on the soft grass, staring up at the star covered sky. The boys were the best of friends, practically brothers. They were only ten years old, but had already seen more hardships than most people twice their age had ever dreamed of. The pair had finished their dinner early, quickly hurrying to their favorite spots outside to allow for more star watching time. The blonde haired boy had been studying his companion for most of the evening. Something was troubling his curly haired friend. Usually, he was full of energy and words endlessly flowed from his lips, but not tonight. Tonight, the young lad was quiet. He kept fiddling with pieces of grass, pulling them up and twisting them around his fingers. It was most unusual. The silence continued on for several uncomfortable minutes. One boy not willing to speak, and the other to afraid to ask why. It wasn't until the owl called out a second time that the troubled friend finally found the words he had been lacking.

"Shaemus, we're good friends, right? Like best friends?" The curly-headed boy spoke with a shallow voice.

The blonde nodded, "Of course, Gryffell."

"And best friends can tell each other anything, right?" Gryffell added hesitantly.

Shaemus turned to face his friend, tilting his head, "Yes. Why do you ask? Are you hiding something?"

Gryffell moved his caramel colored eyes to his feet, "Shaemus, there's something I need to tell you, but you can't be mad that I've never told you before."

Shaemus mustered up as much compassion as his heart would let him and gave his friend a reassuring nod, "I won't get mad. Now spit it out."

Gryffell took a deep breath, then after a few seconds hesitation, he began, "I'm not an orphan like the rest of you. My parents aren't dead. At least I don't think they are..."

Shaemus stayed quiet at his friend's confession. Gryffell's past had always been vague. He couldn't remember their first meeting very well because he had been so young, but the gang never took in children whose parents had a chance of sniffing them out. Nettle had claimed she found his friend hiding in dirty street alleys as a four-year-old, and Gryffell had always stuck by that story. Shaemus' friend had never mentioned parents of any sort or how he came to be in that alley. Looking at Gryffell now, he seemed ashamed and saddened.

Shaemus blinked in wonder at his friend, "What do you mean? Nettle said you were all alone when she found you."

"I ran away," Gryffell mumbled, "My parents...I...I don't think they ever wanted me. They used to scream and hit me a lot. I think they disliked me more than they did each other."

"Your parents didn't like you?" Shaemus asked in confusion.

Gryffell shook his head, "I don't think so. They would always get really mad and when they did...it hurt. It hurt a lot. I know I was only four, but they were really scary. Most kids' nightmares are of monsters and demons. Mine are of my parents. I left home to get away from my nightmare. They never knew I left and I don't think they cared. I had only been in the alleyway for about a day before Nettle found me. That's when I met you."

Shaemus looked at his friend with sorrow filled eyes, "I'm really sorry, Gryffell. I think you're great."

Gryffell gave a faint smile, but it quickly vanished as worry overcame his face, "Oh but you can't tell anyone! No one can know I still have parents! Please, Shaemus, promise not to tell anyone."

Shaemus smirked and ruffled Gryffell's hair, "I promise. Do you even know where they are?"

"Well...no, but I don't want the gang to kick me out! I swear I would have told you before! I don't even know if they're still alive," Gryffell exclaimed.