I never told my mom that I stole from a child's grave. It's been a few months now since I took the Red Power Ranger into my possession. My conscience wasn't heavy in the slightest bit. I continued to play with that toy day after day. It followed me where ever I went; to the pool, church, and even outside in the rain. It had been my best friend for the entire summer.
The heat waves that lasted throughout the entire season were beginning to fade. The warm breezes transitioned to cool, gentle ones. On the last weekend of summer break, my mom took me to my grandma's. She lived a few hours away among the pines and ridges. It was a lot quieter here than boisterous, city life. To me it was my escape from reality. I could be as adventurous as I wanted to and no one could stop me.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yeah mom! I promise! Grandma's is always fun!"
"Sumi, you worry a lot. Idate will be just fine! Now go off and enjoy yourself,"
"I just don't want Idate to be lonely when I'm gone,"
"He'll be fine. That boy has boundless imagination,"
"Alright Son..behave now! I love you!"
"Love you too mom!"
I kept waving til my mom's car exited my peripheral view. I shivered a little bit after realizing how cold it was. Where my grandma lived , the altitude was higher than what I was used to back home. It practically felt like the eve of winter already.
"Here Son, put on this knit cap okay, it'll prevent you from getting sick, now go play,"
"Thank you Grandma!"
"Don't wander off to far and come back before the sun leaves the sky!"
The Power Ranger rested in my hands as I ran about. The trees loomed above me, their branches reached for the sky. The air was quiet. Only the sounds of twigs breaking and dead leaves crumbling filled the atmosphere. I gazed up beyond the pathway of the greenery. The little birds danced in the clouds. Their flock moved to the beat of the wind. Each member moved in sync with each other, almost like they all shared the same mind. They followed each other in circular motions, swaying side to side. A sense of awe struck me. Was this natural occurrence something that usually happened?
"Look Ranger! Do you wanna see?!"
I held him up to the sky, as high as I could. A colorful erosion painted the horizon, the sunlight merging into many hues. I had become so entranced by this fantastical moment, I lost connection with the earth. It felt like a spiritual awakening. Like all good things it had to come to an end. A heavy wind swirled up, knocking Ranger out of my hand.
Before I could react a piercing, cry shook the entire forest. I felt a powerful, push against my back, sending me down the slope. The branches cracked and tweaked with rocks following after them. Everything spun in wild motion, until finally it came to an immediate halt. My body laid helplessly on the ground. The heat was seeping out of my right leg. The sky became fuzzy for the first time. It almost looked like black feathers were raining from the heavens. They were pretty, descending slowly, like time was stopping. Was I in a dream? Darkness came, filling the void, freeing it from any existence of light.
*****
Grandma Saylee sat in the kitchen, at the counter, tapping her pen against the marble top. She took a deep breathe as she stared endlessly at the sudoku puzzle. The sheet was completely blank, much to her disliking.
"How does this go again?" She mumbled to herself.
The oven chimed over in the distance. It had reached the degrees it was adjusted to. Inside the pieces of cookie dough were spread out among the worn down tray. They would soon begin to rise and flatten in a matter of fifteen minutes. Grandma Saylee streamed her fingers through her hair, clenching the back of it. The blank expression on her face suddenly lit up, like she had solved all the world's problems. Before she could take action, the phone had decided to ring.
"Hello?"
" Hey mom it's me. I forgot to give Idate his favorite blanket. I'm coming back right now."
"I have extras at home that he can use."
"But he needs it. I need to-"
"Sumi, you worry too much. Idate is fine. Go enjoy yourself. You need to take time to focus and free your mind."
" I just want him to be okay."
"He is. He's having fun outside. When you come back to get him. He will still be here. You need time for yourself, so take it while you can okay?"
"Thanks mom...I'll call tomorrow then."
"Talk to you later. Goodbye!"
"Bye."
Grandma Saylee put down the phone gently, letting out a deep sigh.
"Geez, that woman worries too much," as she chuckled to herself.
She glanced through the window, admiring the tranquil view. The light sprinkled itself among the shadows already formed outside. The tree branches held strong as their leaves fluttered silently to the end of the summer breeze. Her eyes sparkled at the little light that made it way in her house. This life she had was much calmer than the one she had decades ago, especially when Sumi was a little girl. Her minor flashback was short-lived and her smile had faded. The screeching of bird snapped her back into reality.
****
A strange feeling exploded in her heart, something wasn't right. She ran outside, looking for any signs of the boy.
"Idate!!!" She yelled.
The forest was quiet, keeping its secret from her. The winds swirled between the branches, creating a ghostly whistle. It grew sharper and sharper. Leaves were being plummeted into the air. Grandma Saylee kept walking slowly, peeking around every direction. She lowered her breathing until she could hear the birds again. A crow with devil like wings hovered past her, cawing in disgust. She followed this ominous sign, hoping she would reach Idate. The menacing bird glided in the husky atmosphere. It kept accelerating eastward, further away from the house. Saylee chased after it. Footstep after footstep, quickening after each cycle.
The black wings eventually settled on a branch high in the trees. It gawked it's head, pointing it's beak downward. Saylee caught up a few seconds later. She hesitantly stared at the ground. Her foot came into contact with Idate's Power Ranger. Following the direction of the creature's pointed beak, she focused her vision down the inclined slope. There the boy laid at its footstep unconscious. His tender face had scratches all over and his pants was soaked with blood.
