Stories from an Empty Room

Mt. Eiddwen

Arthur Scott, that's what they call me. Personally, I don't know who I am.

"Where's your family?" they asked.
"I don't know."
"Where are you from?"
"Anywhere, really."
"Oh, where will you go now?"
"Mt. Eiddwen."
"Oh, how long have you been walking?"
"I-"

A patrol car just came around the corner; my heart rate went through the roof.

"I have to go now, thanks for the food."
"Oh, no problem. Safe travels"
I gave them a firm handshake and got out of there as soon as possible.

It was getting dark, I had to look for a place to stay. I went to the playground near a seven-eleven to sleep under the slides.
I placed my stuff under the slide and sat on the swings for a bit. The weather was gloomy, clouds were blocking the moon but you could still see her heavenly glow. Suddenly, droplets of water came down from the sky.
I went back under the slide and just curled up so my feet won't get wet.

"Mt. Eiddwen's just a day away, I'll be there soon." I whispered.

I fell asleep to the sound of rain.

I woke up the next morning with kids poking my face with a stick
"He's awake! Run!" shouted one of them.
They all ran away, it seemed though that they were having fun.
"Raaawr! You've awaken the Slide Monster!" I played along.
Some of the kids got scared and some ran back and went along with me.
"Don't fear! I will save all of you!" exclaimed one kid as he raises his stick.
He ran towards me as fast as he could and smacked me with his stick. I acted as if I got really hurt!
"Aiden, he's hurt!" shouted one of the girls.
"I'm sorry sir, I was only playing..." he said as he frowned.
His gestures were adorable, it made me smile.
"Are you Aiden the Conqueror? The hero of this playground?"
"How'd you know my name?" he asked.
"I've heard stories of you, from the great wizard!"
His face glowed.
"Then... Yes! I am the great hero this playground needs!"
"I will not let you pass my slide! Raaaawr!"
I played with them 'til I got tired and pretended that I died.
"You've defeated the great slide monster! Noooooo!"
I shouted.

The kids cheered and chanted, I was happy that I've made them happy.

Afterwards, I went to the drinking fountain nearby to wash my face of all the sand, then someone pulled my coat.
I looked back and it was that kid, Aiden, and he was with what I presumed was his mother.
"Sir, thank you for playing with us and I'm sorry for hitting you with a stick"
He handed me a piece of paper.
I opened the and it was a drawing of me and him with the words "Aiden en Slaid Monster"
"Aww, thanks." I said.

I heard a police siren.
"Uh, I've got to go kid."
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To a place where the ground meets the clouds."
"Will you come back to play with us again?"
"Maybe one day."

I ran as fast as I could. They were catching up.
I went to the forest and followed a trail going to the top.
I struggled, tripped, and nearly fell back down, but I had to keep running.

After hours of trying to shake them off, I finally escaped. Finally, I've made it to the top.

The heavens tocuhed the earth as the birds soar through the clouds.
I have finally made it.

I knelt down, took out the box my niece gave me and placed it on the ground alongside Aiden's drawing.

"Freeze!" yelled the police.
"Officer..."
"Put your hands behind your head and don't move!"
I obliged, I had no where else to go.
"Arthur Scott, you're under arrest for the murder of Eva Scott."

Four days ago, I was at my brother's house. It's my niece's birthday.
We were playing soccer in front of their house when a man on a motorcycle suddenly pointed a gun on me.
"Where's Joseph?!" he asked.
"I-I don't know!" I exclaimed.
Two gun shots, aimed directly at my niece.
"EVA!" I yelled.
The gunman threw his gun away, I picked it up and shot at him once. It was no use, he got away.

I ran back to my niece as fast as I could.
"Eva, Eva..." I sobbed.
She was crying, she was bleeding out. I didn't what to do.
Suddenly, she stopped breathing.
"No, No, No, Eva wake up, please..."
Her father came out.
He saw the blood of his own daughter on the hands of his brother. He looked at me like I was the one who killed her daughter.
"Joseph, it's not like what you think..." I exclaimed.
As I stood up the gun dropped from nowhere.
"Arthur..."
"Joseph, no..."
He ran back inside the house and called for help.
I panicked, I ran away as fast as I could.

Before this had happen, I made a promise to Eva that I'll bring her flowers from Mt. Eiddwen.

"You have the right to remain silent."