The Road We Walked

Chapter Two

**Early Days**

Lucas..Lu-ca-s, came the old familiar voice sounding from behind the small house. "Over here" I replied. "I'm trying to get some vegetables for stew". From the side of the house appeared my dad, with his sleepy eyes and a faint smile on his lips as he approached the farm. "You are up so early my boy, I was afraid something took you away while we sleep". Again he looked at me, shook his head and added, "You were such a wee thing that unfortunate afternoon. Who could have thought you'd be such a useful little boy so soon. I thank the heavens for bringing you to me". And quietly he walked back into the house again.

Growing up as a child without the love of a mother had its toll on me. Most part of my life was spent in the woods, hunting or in the farm helping out with dad. All we needed we have around so, we had no need to go into the neighborhood except once in a while when dad would take me out for a walk and show me places. I never had friends nor did I bother to have any. My dad was a friend and all I have in the whole universe.

life was simple and exciting and I never got to worry about anything.

One day, dad called in the cool of the evening while we were taking a gaze at the setting sun. "Look over your shoulder to the left" he said. "What do you see". " Oh, it's just an expanse of wasteland over grown with bushes" I replied. The air stood still for what appears to be ages, and after a while came his hush and deep tone. " That is not a waste land my boy", "That is the land of the Brownies, Nod". "That is where you hail from".

I didn't understand what he meant, I thought this man here was my father but before I spoke, it was as though he intercepted my thoughts. "I am not your father, you are a brownie brought to me by an unfortunate event which no one living could explain". And that night I learned the story of my people, I knew I was the only surviving race of a people whose life has remain a mistery to the rest of the world and will forever remain so.

Few days after I woke up early to get some potatoes and make a soup for breakfast. I hummed at the sweet smell of dew on the leaves and the excitement that I was going to give dad a surprised treat. Quickly I got my supplies from the farm, made the fire and just as the sun was rising to the skies, I had my soup ready while I wait for dad, to walk on to meet the surprise. While I sit waiting, it was as though a veil covered my eyes, and there I saw, what appeared to be a dozen of men dressed in what seem to be white robes and a head gear. some were working on a contraption, others were giving instructions while others appeared to be mixing things. Suddenly, the one giving order showed signed of panic but while he opened his mouth to speak, the words never came out. instead, a sudden brilliance appeared from nowhere with a hissing sound after which was followed complete silence. Just then I awoke, to the brilliance of the sun, surprised that dad was still nowhere, I reluctantly went in to see if he was busy but found him still lying the way I had left him.

Surprised, I called out but had no response. I went to tap at him and realized his body was as cold as the earlier morning gust.

I shook him, pull at him but he was lifeless. Gone to be with his family which he told me so much about.

**Alone**

I should be seven, the morning dad left. it was a cold morning. But the coldness I felt was different. I had no one and no family but myself. The only family I have got had been taken away from me.

why is life this wicked. why do we exist.

I cried until I lost my strength and fell into a deep sleep, when I later woke it was evening, a managed to walk to a nearby inn where we normally stop with dad, and told the inn keeper what had happened. That night he came along with some persons and had the body buried. while they left, the inn keeper asked me to come over and stay with him as I could not survive the woods alone, however I declined and told him I could not leave my father's house.

and so, it was that I began to live alone, away from the world. I had lost all that there is to loose, so I have no fear of loosing anything again. Time went by and I could not get over my loss. It was as though a part of me was gone and never to return again.