Datura, the stolen Alfa

CHAPTER 2 : ALONE

Years went by. Datura was now 14 years old and spent most of his time reading books he was mostly fascinated with astronomy. Every night, he would watch the stars spot out as many constellations as he could.

Most nights he used an old glass bottle that he had cut hole into as telescope to see the stars much closer and one day he’d hope to see the Northern lights far north but of course he would have to leave the tower to see that ‘’a boy could dream’ ‘he thought to himself.

Days went on father was gone more often than usual and Datura was as lonely as ever, one night he wonders why he hadn’t had a family why all he had was his father who never let anyone else visit it’s not like his illness was contagious.

The next morning, he had woken up to the sound of his father’s voice’’ Datura, my boy let your hair down’’ and so he quickly got up, let his hair down.

Datura sat on his bed, watching his father prepare his medicine. From his view, he could see the streaks of grey in his dark hair.

‘’ Why don’t I have a mother father? He asked, killing the silence. ‘’All I have is you, no brothers or sisters. ‘’I have told you many times boy his father responded your mother died during your birth’’.

‘’Yes, I know’’. Datura replied ‘’but have you ever thought to remarry?

‘’Of course not I’m too busy taking care of you now enough with these silly questions.

‘’okay Datura said sadly, looking down.

He continued to watch him then spoke up again ‘’so I was thinking since I’m older now and you’re getting a little old I could go out and help you run your errands and bring food back to the tower I would meet more people and maybe I could even make some frie- ‘’enough with this Datura!

‘’But why? You said that when I’m older I could! ... -I said enough, boy!!’’

His father snapped back, dropping and shattering the glass he was holding on to the floor ‘’how many times have we been through this? You are ill! Look at you. You’re as pale as a ghost. On most days you can barely walk for god’s sake! Don’t you understand? I’m protecting you’’.

‘’I do, father, but you never listen ...

‘’No! He hissed back, throwing his hands in the air

‘’all you do is complain I’m all alone, you say, ‘’I have no friends, you say.

You don’t understand how cruel this world can be, ungrateful child!’’

‘’who has been taking care of you all this year’s feeding you on days you could barely move haven’t I done all you ask of me?’’. All these useless books you tell to get you,

‘’they are not useless!

‘’ Datura defended.

‘’Listen to me boy, he said now kneeling by Datura, and he stared back into his dark wrinkled eyes. ‘’no one will care for you like your father does if I let you leave I am sending you to die do you understand?

‘’I understand father’’ Datura replied, holding back tears,

‘’good I never want to hear you talk of this again.

, ‘’Okay father’’.

‘’Now look what you made me do he said pointing at the broken glass and the spilt medicine on the floor clean this up and get some rest I’m going out to buy more.

He left the tower and set off for the woods on his hoarse.

He did not travel far until he finally approached cave hidden by many vines and leaves he got off his hoarse and into the cave he went. The cave was filled with complete darkness only to be lit by a single candle light.

‘’Vladimirrrrr’’ a wrinkled voice called out, back so sooooon’’,

Suddenly an old woman wearing a black cloak emerged from the shadows and gave him a great smile with some missing teeth ‘’what is it that you seek this time’’ she said to him

‘’Need I have to tell you at all’’ replied Vladimir. ‘’There is no need to waste time.

‘’Carefulllll Vladimir she said you can never be too sure’’ she then opened up her hands and a single floor with light purple petals lay on her palm soon as he reached out to grab it she quickly closed her hand and ‘’uh uh uh she said nodding her head moonflowers are not free’’. He then drooped a few coins into her other hand and grabbed the flower. ‘Stingy witch’’ he murmured, walking away.

"You can not keep that boy from his true self forever. Vladimir, the rage in him is strong,"

the old woman whispers as he walks away

Datura woke up to the cold breeze of the night chilling down his spine he looked around and saw that his father had not been back yet. He finds cold made unbearable, so he decided to lit up the fireplace. Afterwards, he grabbed a tin of beans from a cabinet and placed it on the burning wood. He then sat alone next to the fire and watched as the beans began to cook. On nights like this, he wished his illness would alas finish him off.

The next morning Datura heard his father call his name and went to do and routine but this time he was surprised to see that his father was not alone standing next to him was a boy about the same age as him with red messy hair dressed in oversized overalls and boots that were way too big for him. Datura closely observed him as he had never seen any other boy before. As soon as his father came in, he went to him and whispered ‘’who is that boy?’’, did he follow you here?’’.

‘’Well like you said, "replies Vladimir. I am getting old, and I need someone to run errands for me. Hence, that is Henry. He is to help collect firewood, food, and whatever I need when I come here. But you are not to talk to him nor is he to talk to you, remember what I told you no one can be trusted’’.

Vladimir then reached into his bag, pulled out a new glass bottle filled with a purple liquid, and gave it to Datura, who looked at the bottle in disgust.

‘’Is there no other medicine for me to take he said, but you’ve taken this one for years’’ his father replied ‘’I know, but it makes me feel dizzy and worse,

‘’oh don’t be a child boy, it will be worse before it gets better’’ and so Datura drank the medicine.

Afterwards as his father left with henry, but as they were leaving, henry turned around with a smile and waved at Datura, who got surprised. Did he just wave at me? He thought .

He then hesitated a bit before he waved back with a little smile .

Days went on the same Vladimir would leave and return every morning with henry, and before they would leave henry and Datura, they would exchange waves and smiles .But Datura didn’t think much of it though it was nice to see a new face besides father every day but he still felt as alone as ever and even worse now that he took higher doses of medicine .

Deep inside, he hoped henry would be safe around him. his urges kill kept getting stronger despite his medication