Introvspect

Chapter 16 (The Dark Days)

The rooster alarmed everyone with its ringing call in the tranquillity of the morning sunrise.

Drops of dew sprinkled from the warmed moist air as the tall trees framed a grassy clearing. It was a small farm abundant with chickens, pigs, cattle, and sheep.

Growing their own fruits and vegetables also made them to be self-sufficient. Clyde had just dreamt about camping at the hind part of the plain with his parents. They sat around a bonfire singing a melody that encompassed their yearning for a successful harvest.

Having nightmares were extremely rare for him but he wanted to experience having to sleep through one. He and his parents shared the same bed cuddling each other. A few other housed workers had their separate area to sleep in.

“Rise and shine sleepyhead!”

Her mother called out to him as he began to fall asleep once again.

Clyde had just turned 7 years old and was still not enrolled in school. He just wanted to help with the chores of their household and their farm.

“I’m up, Mama.”

His father had already started tending the animals and called the others to start harvesting the now matured vegetables. His mother brought him with her to milk the cows and prepare their breakfast.

Their usual routine involved waking up early in the morning to go through with their daily duties but the most exciting part was having to sunbathe sitting on foldable chairs while admiring the picturesque view of the surrounding mountains. It was their only break and it was a splendidly peaceful way to finish a day’s hard work.

Clyde had never felt this contented in his whole life, resting their tired muscles through their hobbies of either reading or sightseeing beneath the majestic sky. They were living the simple and primitive life and it was all worth the trouble.

Their farm was situated in a secluded place and their neighbours were miles away from where they were. They did not bother to go to stores to buy food or clothing since they had plenty of it. The fur of the sheep were used as fabric for the clothes they wore as well as blankets to keep them warm from the cold.

It seemed that as soon as Clyde had been there, they were complete in all kinds of supplies and they had not bought a single thing ever since. Even the workers had already been there since the very start and they only went back to their homes during the holidays. His father would drop them off to where they needed to be.

It was only during times of emergency when the family had to go somewhere else which was the hospital that was about a kilometre away. Their only mode of transport was the truck they had.

They often followed a healthy lifestyle so they rarely got sick. They were free from the toxicity of varied sources of pollution that could be considered as health hazards. The only threats within their vicinity were wild animals and roaming bandits. But so far, they had not yet experienced having them close.

They had solar panels and their own water purifier so they also did not need to pay maintenance bills. They had been living very efficiently all this time.

“Clyde, why don’t you want to go to school?” His father asked him while they were waiting outside for the sun to set.

Clyde was chasing the chickens that frolicked about and caught one. After all, the animals were his only friends even though the workers also played with him when they had time.

“I just want to stay here with all of you. I can just work here.”

His father wanted him to see the world from greater heights. He wanted him to be more successful.