The Call of Creatures

Change

With a sigh Artem moved back on to his heels. He understand that his mother had to do work, but lately she hadn't had any time for him anymore and that made him sad. Whether it was drawing, Story telling or plainly playing, she always said no and went back to working on her documents. The same with his father too. Artem had tried to approach him several times already, but every time his father looked so stressed that Artem felt bad about bothering him and turned on his heels and fled. 

But the closer his birthday came, the easier got the atmosphere again, until his mother one day smiled brightly at him. "I have wonderful news Artem", she said and Artem got quite excited as he was sure it was about his birthday next week, but his smile started to fall as his mother continued. With an excited voice she she started to tell him about the plans for the next week:"I know you were a bit sad that me and Papa didn't have that much time the last weeks, but that will change next week, because we have a surprise for you. … I got a new Job in England and we will move their with the ship next Friday! Isn't that exciting ?". She smiled bright at him. Artem smiled slightly at his mother and watched as she walked away, his smile vanishing. He felt a bit selfish for not being happy for his parents, but it was his birthday. One of the most exciting days in the year for him and one that was always spend on a picnic with his parents and now this wasn't going to happen. They would be on the move and his parents wouldn't have time for him.

As much as he enjoyed the travel it was becoming clear rather soon that his worries were true. Most of the travel was a busy mess, as it turned out that his father had become seasick. Due to that he spent most of his time in their cabin, while his mother did his best to help him. As his birthday came around on the second day on the ship his parents were way too busy to celebrate in the morning and the little time to celebrate was cut short by his father, who accidentally threw up on one of the decorative flower pots. So it wasn't a real birthday for him. Later that day wasn't any time either as they landed at the British shore. From there they took a carriage. It was late in the evening when they arrived in London and even later once they reached their house. It was rather pretty and big, but the streets they drove through before were dirty and a few homeless people.

The house itself was pretty and actually rather nice Artem discovered, but the people were a whole other story. The small german boy knew a little English, but as the moving was rather abrupt, he was nowhere near able to talk to an actual English person. The other kids quickly caught up to that fact and were rather mean about the discovery. They didn't include him in anything, expect talking bad about him, obviously asking things he didn't understand and from time to time playing a little to rough with him. The bruises weren't big, but the overall meaning of them dragged Artems mood down.

A few weeks after they arrived, he was outside and the neighbours kids had started to make fun  of him again as suddenly a young female voice interrupted them in a harsh tone. The girl that that had interrupted them had a rather thick Irish accent and looked not amused by the kids antics. They excused themselves in a rather timid voice and ran away. The girl turned to him and asked in broken german:"Are...du bist okay?". With a slight thankful smile Artem nodded. The girl grinned, her green eyes twinkling with excitement.