Abscond || Joshler

{3}

Helena walked Tyler through the neighborhood, heading towards the woods. The stroll was calm and peaceful, and the day was pleasant. The air was cool with a light breeze, which was very tangible to their faces.

Tyler stayed really close to Helena, and she made sure he was safe from onlookers. Even though she was ordered to slay him, she dared not to let him out of her sight.

During the walk, the boy looked at the aesthetics of the neighborhood, and how beautiful they were compared to his home. The houses he saw reflected back to the house that he grew up in, and continues to live in.

The boy looked back at Helena, filled with delight.

"Isn't this neighborhood wonderful? It always reminds me of back home."

"Oh, yes, child. It truly is wonderful."

"How I wish the other neighborhoods looked like this. It would bring people so much joy."

"Yes, child. It would."

"Helena, if you'd be so kind, when we get to the forest, could I visit my dearest Josh?"

"He lives in the woods?"

"Yes. I know where he lives. It's not that far."

Helena grinned.

"I'm sure we can."

The closer they got to the woods, Helena's grip on the knife got tighter.

She knew what was coming, and she had to be ready to complete it.

~

By the time they got to the woods, Tyler got very excited. He hummed soft tunes to the birds flying above, and their chirps echoed back to him. He danced around the evergreen and they swayed with him.

Helena stood by and watched, keeping her knife hidden. She cut her hand lightly, but quietly licked away the small drips of blood that streamed down her fingers.

Tyler looked back and Helena, smiling with the sun shining down upon his face.

"Come, Helena."

He took her hand.

"Dance with me."

The girl wanted to take him, and tie him to the evergreen, then she'd have to kill him and take his heart, but she didn't think this was a good time.

She joined him in a little dance as the evergreen circled them with the sunshine and soft breeze. Tyler closed his eyes, embracing the girl like he'd do with Josh.

His happiness caught Helena off guard, and it made her think new thoughts about her task.

She didn't see him as a threat, or anything that would make her dislike him. She didn't understand why the aunt would want her to end his life.

To Helena, Tyler was just an innocent boy who loves his father, his home, and the world.

With her mind made up, she had to tell him the truth.

"Tyler, my child, I need to tell you something."

"What is it, Helena?"

She kneeled down to him.

"I have to tell you the truth, about your aunt."

"What about her?"

She sighed.

"She's an evil woman."

Tyler was stunned.

"Why would you say that about her?"

"Because she wanted me to bring you out here, so I can-"

Helena paused.

"So you can what?" Tyler asked.

The girl lowered her head.

"So I can kill you."

~

When Tyler heard this, he didn't cry or beg for mercy. He knew Helena well enough to believe her. He too lowered his head.

"A-Are you going to kill me?"

The girl lifted the boy's head to her.

"I've worked for your aunt since you were a baby. I've done every task she's ever gave me, but this task, I cannot do."

She touched his cheek, with tears coming from her eyes.

"I can't kill anyone as innocent as you."

As she looked over him, a new thought appeared in her mind. How was she going to fool his aunt?

Until she got an idea.

"I'll find an animal. I'll kill it and take its heart, and I'll bring it back to your aunt as proof."

She looked back upon the boy.

"Tyler, you must never go back home. If Josh is nearby, stay with him. You're far safer with him than you are back home with your aunt."

Helena kissed the boy lightly on the forehead, then got up and walked away, leaving him all alone in the woods.

Once she left, Tyler started gathering his thoughts on everything that just happened. His own aunt hated him the whole time, and wanted him dead.

Thinking about him made him wonder why his aunt hated him so much, but he didn't have time to think about the answer.

He had to find Josh.